FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Jennifer de Vallance / Tom Riley 202–395–6618
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
WHITE HOUSE DRUG CZAR LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO
STOP DRUGGED DRIVING
PROBLEM IS WORSE THAN MOST REALIZE:
8 MILLION DRIVERS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS LAST YEAR
(Washington, D.C.)—John P. Walters, Director of
National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), today announced a White
House collaborative effort to reduce drugged driving on
American roads. Director Walters was joined by representatives
of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, and the family of a
drugged driving victim, to raise public awareness of the
problem of drugged driving.
Director Walters said, "While the consequences of drunk
driving have become well known over the past 20 years,
drugged driving has received relatively limited attention.
We have solid data regarding the prevalence and seriousness
of impaired driving. America already loses too many lives
to drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, we cannot
allow a lack of public awareness to contribute to the deaths
of more innocent motorists."
Data indicate that drugged driving has become a significant public
safety hazard:
- According to NHTSA, illegal drugs are used by approximately
10 to 22 percent of drivers involved in all motor vehicle crashes
- The 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicates
that an estimated eight million adults drove under the influence of an illicit drug at some time in the past year
- The New England Journal of Medicine published results
from a roadside study of reckless drivers (not impaired by alcohol)
in which 45 percent tested positive for marijuana.
- A Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) survey of
middle and high school students revealed that 68 percent of licensed teen drivers who use drugs regularly reported that they also drive while under the influence of illegal drugs
- More than half of the teens who reported using illegal drugs also indicated that they were not concerned about riding with a driver who is using illegal drugs
To increase awareness of the problem of drugged driving,
ONDCP unveiled two new television advertisements that will
begin airing in January. ONDCP, NHTSA, and AAA also announced
their support of increased resources for state and local law
enforcement officers and prosecutors, including a model
policy that provides states a framework for drugged driving
legislation, and development of new technologies to identify
drug-impaired drivers in the field.
NHTSA, responsible for training more than 5,500 police officers
in 35 states as Drug Recognition Experts, announced that it is
mobilizing a major enforcement initiative during December, which
is National Drugged and Drunk Driving Prevention Month. Next month's
activities, which will include sobriety checkpoints and saturation
patrols, mark the start of a year-long effort by NHTSA to
increase public awareness of the risks of drugged and drunk
driving.
Director Walters concluded, "Our national experience in reducing
drunk driving tells us that we can make a difference; when
we apply technology, enforcement, and education, we prevent this
destructive behavior that takes away too many innocent lives
each year."
