December is Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

The post appears courtesy of The Office of Justice Programs December’s designation as "National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month" is a reminder of the tragic consequences of alcohol and drug related auto crashes and deaths. Impaired driving is no accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) it's a serious and deadly crime that kills every 30 minutes. Because of the severe consequences of drunk and drugged driving, especially during the holiday season, it is important to have a coordinated, three-tiered approach involving federal, state, and personal commitment. NHTSA and its partners offer an array of toolkits and resources to help plan and implement comprehensive programs to make communities safer and healthier. Visit stopimpaireddriving.org for more information. Within the Department of Justice, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) provides support to programs enforcing underage drinking laws. In 2009 OJP granted over $20 million to towards those efforts. Federal and state agencies are working hard to reduce alcohol and drug related accidents—are you? Prevent drunk and drugged driving by making responsible choices, such as:

• Designate a sober driver
• Host a party at home instead of at a restaurant or bar, and most importantly,
• Hold your friends and family accountable.

"National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month" is about celebrating life; join the celebration by promoting drunk and drugged driving awareness in your community. For more information about impaired driving, underage drinking laws, and December’s prevention campaign, please visit the following sites: 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | StopAlcoholAbuse.gov| The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) |Office for Victims of Crime |Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention |National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |