[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 48 (Monday, December 3, 2001)]
[Pages 1731-1732]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7509--National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, 
2001

 November 29, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Each December we turn our attention to the problem of drunk driving 
by observing National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Though 
the holidays bring

[[Page 1732]]

joy in celebrations with family and friends, they also bring a tragic 
increase in the incidence of impaired driving. This season, I ask each 
American to avoid driving while they are under the influence of alcohol 
or drugs, to help stop others from driving in an impaired condition, and 
to increase community awareness about these issues.
    Despite many efforts by States, communities, and citizen groups to 
stop drunk and drugged driving, many Americans mistakenly continue to 
view impaired driving as acceptable conduct. After years of gradual 
improvement, fatalities in alcohol-related crashes rose by 4 percent 
from 1999 to 2000. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
estimates that last year alcohol was involved in 40 percent of fatal 
crashes and in 8 percent of all crashes.
    Every person should reaffirm his or her personal responsibility to 
drive free of the influence of alcohol or drugs and to prevent others 
from driving under the influence of them. We must promote practices such 
as designating a sober driver, stopping impaired family members and 
friends from getting behind the wheel, reporting impaired drivers to law 
enforcement officials, and teaching our young people safe, alcohol- and 
drug-free driving behavior.
    We should also promote coordinated public policies and citizen 
campaigns against drunk and drugged driving in our communities. One 
example is the Department of Transportation's You Drink & Drive, You 
Lose campaign. This national coalition of community and law enforcement 
organizations will increase public awareness of the hazards of impaired 
driving. Their message warns of the criminal penalties for impaired 
driving, including imprisonment and the loss of license, vehicle, time 
from work, and money in fines and court costs.
    As we celebrate the joyous holiday season, we can help save lives by 
preventing impaired driving. In order to ensure the safety of our roads 
for all travelers, we must continue to fight drunk and drugged driving 
throughout the year.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush,  President of the United States 
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 2001 as 
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. I call upon State 
and community leaders to join the National Holiday Lifesavers 
Mobilization, sponsored by the You Drink & Drive, You Lose campaign, on 
December 21-23, 2001. I also urge all Americans to remember the hazards 
of impaired driving and to become involved in fighting this dangerous 
problem.
     In Witness Whereof,  I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth 
day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., December 3, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on November 30, and it will be published in the Federal 
Register on December 4.