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Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month: Focus on Teen Drivers

21 November 1997

December Is Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month; Special Focus Given to Teen Drivers

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 21 -- In an effort to curtail the
tragedy caused by impaired driving, the California Office of Traffic Safety
(OTS) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are sponsoring Drunk and Drugged
Driving (3-D) Prevention Month, a broad-based public awareness campaign held
in December.
    This year's 3-D month efforts will include a special focus on teen
drivers. A recent study conducted by the OTS predicts a 24 percent increase in
the number of underage drunk driving crashes in California in the next
10 years, reflecting an upsurge in the teen population.
    "Over the years we have successfully delivered the anti-DUI message to the
majority of Californians," said OTS Director Arthur Anderson. "We are now
faced with targeting specific groups that have significant percentages of
their populations dying needlessly in impaired driving crashes. Teen drivers,
unfortunately, fall into this category."
    "The CHP is especially vigilant during the holiday season," said
Commissioner D.O. Helmick. "To protect the public and prevent deaths, the CHP
sets up maximum enforcement periods, where all available officers will be out
on patrol over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays. Motorists
should expect to encounter more officer on the road and sobriety checkpoints
throughout the state," he said.
    This December, community groups, government offices, law enforcement
agencies and businesses throughout the state will conduct 3-D Month activities
and offer special events to get the word out to residents of their communities
about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. Groups are asked to
focus on teenagers and young adult male drivers and tie their outreach efforts
into the 3-D Month campaign theme, "Take a Stand Against Impaired Driving."
    California's signature event for 3-D Month, "Lights on for Life," will be
held on Friday, December 19. "Lights on for Life" is a one-day observance when
CHP and other California law enforcement officers will drive with their
vehicle headlights on all day in a symbolic remembrance of those who have been
killed or injured by impaired drivers.
    Last year 103 California teens, 15-19 years of age, were killed and 4,054
more were injured in alcohol-related crashes. General population statistics
show that statewide 1,254 people were killed and more than 35,500 were injured
due to drunk driving collisions. Teens and young adults, 21-34 years of age,
who drive impaired comprise the largest element of the impaired driving
population across the country.
    For more information on 3-D Month or "Lights on for Life," call
916-444-8014 or visit the OTS web site at http://www.ots.org/ots.

SOURCE  California Office of Traffic Safety