NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO CRACKDOWN ON DUI KICKS OFF
Ray LaHood, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, along with R. Gil Kerlikowske, the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, kicked off a new national drunk and impaired driving crackdown today called "Over the Limit. Under Arrest." The campaign will involve thousands of law enforcement agencies during the holiday season, one that is notorious for DUI-related accidents. Driving with blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Secretary LaHood noted that "Drunk driving a major public safety threat that still claims thousands of lives every year. Many states continue to step up their efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads, but the numbers tell us we have to do more. Drinking and driving is dangerous and unacceptable, and I'm asking law enforcement to stay vigilant during this busy holiday season."
In 2008, as compared to the 2007, the alcohol-impaired-driving fatality rate declined in 40 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and remained the same or increased in the remaining 10 States, according to research performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). Illinois showed a dramatic 17.1% reduction in its alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate; in 2008 there were 362 fatalities in alcohol-impaired crashes (0.34 alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate), down from 439 in 2007 (0.41 alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate).
Secretary LaHood warned drivers that "Law enforcement officers will be out in full force during the upcoming holiday, especially at night and on the weekends, looking for the drunk drivers that put the rest of us at risk." More than $7 million has been spent on national television and radio advertising for the campaign which runs from December 16 through January 3.
This holiday season, remember to designate a driver and never drink and drive. Do your part to keep the roads safe!
If you have been injured by a drunk driver, please contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll. We will fight to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
