In December of 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation establishing “National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week” in recognition of the problem of drunk driving. At that time, approximately 25,000 people were losing their lives each year due to drunk driving.
Now, 30 years later, “3D” week has transformed into National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. President Obama has shown continued support at the federal level for the fight against drunk and drugged driving by.
Today, there are over 10,000 people a year killed each year by drunk drivers. It’s far fewer than in 1982, but a number of other metrics remain virtually unchanged. Nearly 1.4 million are arrested for DUI each year. Over 15 percent of people on probation in the U.S. are there for drunk driving. While the progress is substantial, it’s still an epidemic.
This month, in honor of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, Sobering Up will take a look back at 2012 and highlight the top 12 developments in the fight against Impaired Driving. New research, new legislation, and some of the people, programs, and agencies who have made the most notable advancements over the course of the year.
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month needs more attention. With holiday parties and other celebrations coming about, the more awareness it gets Hopefully there will be less people injured this holiday season.