Communications Kit for

Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike Against Drunk Driving

 

Introduction:

To help you promote NHTSA Mid Atlantic Region’s Checkpoint Strikeforce mobilization, you’re being provided with this communication kit to help you implement a successful public affairs campaign during 3D Prevention Month (December 2003). This kit contains materials which you may use intact, or modify as appropriate.

The theme of this campaign is Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike Against Drunk Driving. In addition to the continuation of border-to-border checkpoints, the news hook focuses on the partnering of police officers and physicians (cops and docs) to launch a "surgical strike" against impaired driving. We recommend that you use both police officers and physicians as spokespersons. If you need help in locating a physician to participate along with law enforcement officers, you many want to call your state medical society for assistance.

What’s Included:

• Surgical Strike Core Messages with Talking Points
• Surgical Strike Sample News Release
• Surgical Strike Sample Public Service Announcement Scripts
• Surgical Strike Sample Letters to the Editor
• Surgical Strike Sample Op-Ed Articles (bylined articles provided from an outside source and published at the discretion of a newspaper or magazine on the editorial page)

How to Use This Kit:

• The Surgical Strike news release should be produced on your letterhead or news release paper – be sure to fill in all requested information, including your name and phone number. In addition, you may want to ask a local physician and a local law enforcement officer to serve as your news release spokespersons.

• The news release should be sent two to three weeks before the start of 3D Prevention Month to ensure that it is received with enough lead time to be covered by the news media. This also will give broadcast stations enough time to plan feature coverage, interviews, etc. In addition, you may want to send the release to your affiliated organizations (police departments, state medical societies, NHTSA Mid Atlantic Region, etc.) with a request to post it on their Web sites.

• Local radio and television stations should be contacted upon receipt of this list to request a time to record the public service announcements. Also, contact a local physician and a local law enforcement officer who could serve as your PSA spokespersons. These spokespersons should be provided with the PSAs, instructions, and directions to the station(s) in preparation for their studio recording.

• For the letters to the editor, work with local physicians and law enforcement officials. Ask permission to include their name, title, and professional affiliation, street address, and phone number at the bottom of the letter. Be sure to have each representative approve the copy and personally sign each letter before it is mailed to the media. Also, insert the correct local information to reflect particular state data (state’s name, number of traffic fatalities, state BAC limit).

• For the op-ed articles (a publication’s guest editorial), again work with local physicians and law enforcement officials. You should insert the correct local information to reflect particular state data and then have each co-author approve the article’s copy. Before mailing the op-ed pieces, you may want to call each publication to confirm they print these types of articles and to coordinate its placement.

• You may also want to post these op-ed pieces on your Web site and offer them to Checkpoint Strikeforce partners (state medical, law enforcement, government agencies) with a request to do the same. And, finally, you may want to send these pieces to state legislators with a request to include them in their newsletters to constituents.




CORE MESSAGES WITH TALKING POINTS

Cops and docs team up for Checkpoint Strikeforce and give new meaning to the term "surgical strike."	The winter holiday season has one of the highest rates of crash fatalities related to impaired driving.
The drunk stops here … in jail, in the courtroom, in the emergency room, and in the morgue.	A national model for high-visibility enforcement efforts, Checkpoint Strikeforce is an aggressive, sustained campaign to enforce impaired driving and seat belt laws.




Core Message:

Cops and docs team up for Checkpoint Strikeforce and give new meaning to the term "surgical strike."

Talking Points:

Impaired driving is a serious public health problem.

• Every year, traffic crashes claim tens of thousands of lives. In 2002, almost 43,000 people of all ages lost their lives on our nation’s highways and an additional 2.9 million people suffered serious injuries. Many of these lives could have been saved if those involved had chosen to use their seat belts or chosen not to drive impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

• In 2002, alcohol was involved in 6 percent of all crashes and 41 percent of those crashes that resulted in fatalities.

• After more than a decade of decline, alcohol-related fatal crash rates have begun to climb. Since 1999, rates have increased by 4 percent to 10 percent for all age groups except those ages 16 to 17.

• Each year, alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost about $51 billion.

• Research shows that the severity of a motor vehicle crash increases when the driver is impaired. Individuals who drive while impaired are more likely to drive recklessly and become involved in fatal crashes. In addition, impaired drivers are less likely to use seat belts, thereby increasing their risk for serious injury in a crash.

• Combined, impaired driving and lack of seat belt use are the second leading cause of all emergency room admissions.




On the front line of the war against impaired driving, the nation’s law enforcement officers and doctors are joining forces to save lives.

• During National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month in December, unique teams comprised of law enforcement officers and medical community personnel are seeking a common solution to a persistent public health and highway traffic safety issue.

• More than any others, medical and law enforcement professionals see first-hand the tragic consequences of choosing to drive impaired.




Core Message:

The winter holiday season has one of the highest rates of crash fatalities related to impaired driving.

Talking Points:

Impaired driving continues to be one of the greatest hazards of holiday travel.

• In 2002, more than 46 million Americans traveled by automobile during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

• With holiday festivities, many people make the mistake of choosing to drive impaired during December.

• Last December, more than 1,100 people died on our nation’s highways as a result of impaired driving. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Mid Atlantic Region, about 300 people lost their lives in alcohol-related traffic crashes.

Jurisdiction	2002 Traffic Fatalities	2002 – Alcohol-related Traffic Fatalities	December 2002 Traffic Fatalities	December 2002 - Alcohol-related Traffic Fatalities
Delaware	124	51 (41%)	11	5 (45%)
District of Columbia	47	25 (52%)	1	0 (0%)
Maryland	659	265 (40%)	57	22 (39%)
Pennsylvania	1,614	656 (41%)	132	34 (26%)
Virginia	914	371 (41%)	76	21 (28%)
West Virginia	439	180 (41%)	31	12 (39%)
Total Region	3,797	1,548 (41%)	308	94 (31%)
Total U.S.	42,815	17,419 (41%)	3,607	1,135 (31%)

• This December, NHTSA reminds everyone of the following tips for celebrating responsibly:

  • Don’t risk it – if you plan to drive, don’t drink.

  • Choose a sober designated driver before partying.

  • Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a friend to drive you home if you didn’t plan in advance.

  • Spend the night where the activity is being held.

  • Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.

  • Wear your seat belt to help protect against serious injury if you are hit by an impaired driver.




Impairment begins with the very first drink.

• Research demonstrates that some degree of driving impairment occurs with every measurable intake of alcohol.

• Important driving skills are impaired at blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.01 to 0.02, the lowest level that can be reliably measured by common police devices. At a BAC of 0.08, all individuals show a significant level of impairment in their driving ability. As the driver’s BAC increases, that individual’s degree of impairment rises dramatically.

• Recent research demonstrates that the risk of crash involvement rises with BAC:

• At 0.04 BAC, drivers are 18 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than a sober driver.

• At 0.08 BAC, drivers are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a sober driver.

• At 0.10 BAC, drivers are almost 5 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a sober driver.

• At 0.15 BAC, drivers are 22 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a sober driver.

• Studies show that the relative risk of being killed in a single vehicle crash for drivers with a BAC level between 0.05 and 0.09 is 11 times that of drivers with 0.00 BAC level.




Core Message:

The drunk stops here … in jail, in the courtroom, in the emergency room, and in the morgue.

Talking Points:

The drunk stops in jail … and in the courtroom …

• It is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to drive while impaired. If you choose to break impaired driving laws, you may lose your license and be subject to stiff penalties, including fines and jail time.

• The BAC limit at which an individual is considered impaired and not legally able to operate a motor vehicle varies from state to state. For NHTSA Mid Atlantic Region, the limits are:
  • Delaware                      0.10
  • District of Columbia    0.08
  • Maryland                       0.08
  • Pennsylvania                0.08
  • Virginia                         0.08
  • West Virginia               0.10

Nationally, all jurisdictions have "zero tolerance" laws that prohibit people younger than 21 from driving after drinking. Typically, these laws prohibit younger drivers with a BAC of 0.02 or greater from operating a vehicle.

In addition, all states have a 0.04 BAC limit for commercial drivers.

• DUI arrests can happen to anyone, not just people with drug or alcohol problems.
• Impaired driving will affect one in three Americans during their lifetime.
• In 2001, approximately 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of one for every 137 licensed drivers in the United States.
• Eighty-seven percent of drivers with BACs of 0.10 or higher who are involved in fatal crashes have no alcohol convictions during the prior three years.

The drunk stops in the emergency room … and in the morgue …

• Nationally, an estimated 258,000 persons were injured in crashes in which alcohol was present – an average of one person injured approximately every two minutes.

• In 2002, there were 17,419 fatalities in alcohol-related crashes in the United States. This represents an average of one alcohol-related fatality every 30 minutes.

• In NHTSA Mid Atlantic RegionI, the following traffic fatalities occurred:

Jurisdiction	2002 Traffic Fatalities	Crashes with BAC at or above 0.08	Crashes with BAC at or above 0.01	Crashes with no alcohol
Delaware	124	43 (34%)	51 (41%)	73 (59%)
District of Columbia	47	22 (47%)	25 (52%)	22 (48%)
Maryland	659	216 (33%)	265 (40%)	394 (60%)
Pennsylvania	1,614	568 (35%)	656 (41%)	958 (59%)
Virginia	915	323 (35%)	371 (41%)	544 (59%)
West Virginia	439	160 (36%)	180 (41%)	259 (59%)
Total Region	3,798	1,332 (35%)	1,548 (41%)	2,250 (59%)
Total U.S.	42,815	15,019 (35%)	17,419 (41%)	25,396 (59%)

• In 2002, 35 percent of all U.S. traffic fatalities occurred in crashes in which at least one driver or non-occupant had a BAC of 0.08 or greater. In the United States, 68 percent of the 15,019 people killed in such crashes were themselves intoxicated. The highest number of fatal crashes occurred for U.S. drivers who had a BAC between 0.15 and 0.2.

• In 2002, 84 percent (12,344) of the 14,662 U.S. drivers who had been drinking (with BAC of 0.01 or higher) and were involved in fatal crashes had BACs at or above 0.08.

• Nationally, the highest intoxication rates in fatal crashes in 2002 were recorded for drivers 21 to 24 years old (33 percent), followed by ages 25 to 34 (28 percent) and 35 to 44 (26 percent).




Core Message:

A national model for high-visibility enforcement efforts, Checkpoint Strikeforce is an aggressive, sustained campaign to enforce impaired driving and seat belt laws.

Talking Points:

Merely putting strong impaired driving laws on the books is not enough.

• Research shows that the possibility of getting caught is a more influential deterrent than is the fear of injury or death for those likely to drive impaired or without their seat belts. Well-publicized, sustained enforcement efforts most effectively create a realistic threat of apprehension.

• According to a 2002 NHTSA Report, sobriety checkpoints reduce alcohol-related crashes by about 20 percent.

• NHTSA Mid Atlantic Region’s Checkpoint Strikeforce is a national model for high-visibility enforcement efforts. Providing seamless, border-to-border enforcement throughout the District of Columbia and the five states in the region, this program has had impressive results through a sustained effort involving multiple jurisdictions, heavy publicity, and a strong underage-drinking component.

• During the 2002 Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign, law enforcement officers in NHTSA Mid Atlantic Region interacted with more than 400,000 people at 700 checkpoints and more than 1,700 impaired drivers.

Jurisdiction	Number of Checkpoints	Number of Contacts	Number of DUI Arrests	Other Arrests
Delaware	31	9,375	91	25
District of Columbia	27	22,947	77	79
Maryland	39	23,669	127	25
Pennsylvania	417	274,169	1,064	3,563
Virginia	140	37,646	296	226
West Virginia	56	38,568	86	50
Total	710	406,374	1,741	3,968




 

SAMPLE NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:   (Insert Date)                               MEDIA CONTACTS:     (Insert Name)
                                                                                                               (Insert Phone Number)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

LOCAL COPS & DOCS TEAM UP FOR CHECKPOINT STRIKEFORCE:
A SURGICAL STRIKE AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING

Area Professionals Join Forces to Prevent Holiday Crash Fatalities

(Insert name of town/municipality, state) – More than most others, medical professionals and law enforcement officers see first-hand the tragic consequences of impaired driving. That’s why, during National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month in December, police and physicians are joining forces to close ranks around this persistent public health and traffic safety problem, which escalates during the winter holiday season. Working together on the front lines to stop drunk driving and save lives, these cops and docs are giving new meaning to the term "surgical strike."

To combat impaired driving this holiday, thousands of law enforcement officers are conducting sobriety checkpoints throughout the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Mid Atlantic Region, which covers Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. This ongoing, border-to-border effort is called Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike Against Drunk Driving. In addition to arresting impaired drivers at the checkpoints, authorities also will enforce seat belt laws.

Supporting the enforcement efforts, local physicians are joining the Checkpoint Strikeforce team to help educate the public about physical impairment and the degrees of drinking and driving.

"As Checkpoint Strikeforce teams, cops and docs will work together to stop drunk drivers either on the road or in the emergency room," says (insert name of police officer, department, town/municipality). "On the law enforcement side, we’ll be apprehending drunk drivers with relentless checkpoints and aggressive enforcement."

"And if impaired drivers happen to elude the sobriety checkpoints," adds (insert name of physician, hospital/practice, town/municipality), "chances are we’ll see them as victims in the emergency room." 

"Unfortunately," continues (insert name of physician), "impaired driving is a serious public health problem throughout the entire year and the severity of a motor vehicle crash increases when the driver is impaired.

Research shows impaired motorists are more likely to drive recklessly and become involved in fatal crashes. Furthermore, impaired drivers are less likely to use seat belts, thereby increasing their risk for serious injury. Last year, there were 17,419 alcohol-related fatalities in the United States. Annually, an estimated 258,000 persons were injured in crashes in which alcohol was present.

Additional research demonstrates that some degree of driving impairment occurs with every measurable intake of alcohol. Driving skills are impaired at blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) as low as 0.01 to 0.02. At a BAC of 0.08, all individuals show a significant level of impairment in their driving ability.

"It’s our job to save lives and prevent injuries by stopping the drunk driver before he or she ends up in jail, the emergency room, or even in the morgue," says (insert name of police officer).

This December, NHTSA Mid Atlantic Region reminds everyone of the following tips for celebrating responsibly:

• Don’t risk it – If you plan to drive, don’t drink.
• Choose a sober designated driver before partying.
• Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a friend to drive you home if you didn’t plan in advance.
• Spend the night where the activity is being held.
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
• Wear seat belts to help protect against serious injury if hit by an impaired driver.

Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike Against Drunk Driving is a coalition of NHTSA Mid Atlantic Region, state highway safety offices, state and local transportation agencies, state and local law enforcement agencies, and medical professionals throughout the mid-Atlantic states. It’s part of the national You Drink & Drive. You Lose campaign. Last year, Checkpoint Strikeforce accounted for 1,775 DUI arrests, and 3,968 other arrests, in 710 checkpoints

throughout the region. For additional information about You Drink & Drive. You Lose. visit the NHTSA Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

# # #




 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

30-second spot:

This is (insert name of police officer) from (insert department, town/municipality). This holiday season, cops and docs are joining forces to stop drunk driving. We’re part of Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike Against Drunk Driving. We’ll be conducting sobriety checkpoints everywhere in the region to strictly enforce our DUI and seat belt laws. And this is (insert name of physician) from (insert name of hospital/practice).  If an impaired driver happens to elude the police checkpoints, chances are we’ll see him as a victim in the emergency room. So, remember, "You Drink and Drive. You Lose."  We’re cops and docs working together to keep our roads safe this holiday season.

10-second spot:

This is (insert name of police officer) from (insert department, town/municipality).  Local cops and docs are teaming up to stop drunk driving. We’re part of Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike Against Drunk Driving. We’ll be looking for drunk drivers at sobriety checkpoints everywhere this holiday season. Checkpoint Strikeforce: The drunk stops here.

10-second spot:

This is (insert name of physician) from (insert name of hospital/practice). This holiday season, local cops and docs have teamed up for Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike Against Drunk Driving. Chances are if you drink and drive, you’ll end up in jail or in the emergency room. So keep the holidays safe for everyone. "You Drink and Drive. You Lose."




 

SAMPLE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR




[Date]

Dear Editor:

In this time of holiday cheer, it is easy to overlook the awful consequences of drinking and driving. From our vantage point on the front line in the war against impaired driving, physicians and law enforcement professionals see firsthand the tragic effects of choosing to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. Drunk and drugged drivers often take an unwanted detour on their way home … a detour that puts them in a courtroom, in a jail cell, in the emergency room, or even in a morgue.

In 2002, more than 45 million people took to the roadways during the winter holiday season. In combination with traditional festivities and parties, this added travel time greatly increased the probability of being injured or killed in an impaired driving crash. In December 2002, more than 1,100 people died needlessly on our nation’s highways as a result of alcohol-related traffic crashes.

It is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to drive while impaired. If you choose to break [our state’s/the District of Columbia’s] impaired driving laws, you may lose your license and be subject to stiff penalties, including fines and jail time. And, DUI arrests don’t only happen to people with drug and alcohol problems. Approximately 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in 2001. This is a rate of one arrest for every 137 licensed drivers in the United States. Not all of these drivers have alcohol problems. However, after driving impaired, all of them now have legal problems.

As part of National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month in December, law enforcement officers in every jurisdiction throughout this region aggressively will be conducting sobriety checkpoints where they will enforce impaired driving and seat belt laws. Called Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike against Drunk Driving, this border-to-border enforcement effort which teams local cops and docs is sponsored by [state/District of Columbia] and Mid Atlantic Region of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2002, Checkpoint

Strikeforce stopped more than 400,000 people and pulled about 1,700 impaired drivers off the road.

On behalf of all local cops and docs, we urge you not to drive impaired.

Sincerely,
[Law Enforcement Officer Name]                  [Physician Name]
[Law Enforcement Organization]                  [Medical Organization]




 

[Date]

Dear Editor:

While drinking and driving is a serious public health problem all throughout the year, the winter holiday season tragically has one of the highest rates of crash fatalities from impaired driving. For this reason, area physicians and law enforcement officers are joining together during National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month in December to remind everyone that if you’re going to drink, please don’t drive.

Many motorists don’t realize that even one drink can affect their driving. Medical research demonstrates that some degree of driving impairment occurs with every measurable intake of alcohol. Important driving skills – such as reasoning ability and response time – are impaired at blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.01 to 0.02, a legal BAC limit in all states. At the BAC level at which our state calls a driver "impaired," every individual’s driving ability is significantly affected.

Impaired drivers put themselves, their passengers, and other motorists at risk. Research shows that impaired motorists are more likely to drive recklessly and become involved in fatal crashes. At [our state’s/the District of Columbia’s] legal limit of [0.08/0.10], drivers are [2.5/5] times more likely to be involved in a crash than a sober driver. In addition, impaired drivers are less likely to use seat belts, thereby increasing their risk for serious injury or death.

In December, law enforcement officers in every jurisdiction throughout this region aggressively will be conducting sobriety checkpoints to enforce impaired driving and seat belt laws. Called Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike against Drunk Driving, this border-to-border enforcement effort is sponsored by [state/District of Columbia] and Mid Atlantic Region of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2002, Checkpoint Strikeforce stopped more than 400,000 people and pulled more than 1,700 impaired drivers from behind the wheel.

On behalf of all local cops and docs, we remind everyone:

• Don’t risk it – if you plan to drive, don’t drink.
• Choose a sober designated driver before partying.
• Take mass transit, a taxi, or ask a friend to drive you home if you didn’t plan in advance.
• Spend the night where the activity is being held.
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
• Wear seat belts to help protect against serious injury if you are hit by an impaired driver.

This holiday season and every day, don’t drive impaired.

Sincerely,

[Law Enforcement Officer Name]                  [Physician Name]
[Law Enforcement Organization]                   [Medical Organization]




 

[Date]

Dear Editor:

As part National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month in December, area physicians and local law enforcement officers are joining together to give new meaning to the term "surgical strike."

Why are we launching this aggressive strike? Despite years of effort, impaired driving is still one of our nation’s most serious and most preventable public health problems. In our position on the front line of the war against impaired driving, members of our cop and doc teams are confronted daily by the tragic consequences of drinking and driving. All too often, drunk drivers are forced to make an unwanted detour on the way home – either to jail, to an emergency room, or even to the morgue.

Every year, one out of every 140 motorists is arrested for driving under the influence and faces the loss of a driving license and jail time. Every two minutes, another person is injured in a crash in which alcohol was present. And, every 30 minutes another person will die in an alcohol-related traffic crash. Last December, these crashes cost our nation more than 1,100 fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters.

This month, law enforcement officers in every jurisdiction throughout the region aggressively will be conducting sobriety checkpoints to enforce impaired driving and seat belt laws. Called Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike against Drunk Driving, this border-to-border enforcement effort is sponsored by [state/District of Columbia] and Mid Atlantic Region of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2002, Checkpoint Strikeforce stopped more than 400,000 people and pulled more than 1,700 impaired drivers off the road.

Remember, this holiday and every day, "you drink and drive … you lose."

Sincerely,

[Law Enforcement Officer Name]                  [Physician Name]
[Law Enforcement Organization]                   [Medical Organization]




 

SAMPLE NEWS RELEASE

 

A Surgical Strike in War on Impaired Driving

Commentary from [Law Enforcement Officer Name/Organization] and [Physician Name/Organization]

In a month traditionally associated with holiday travel, local law enforcement officers and medical professionals are teaming up to offer a somber reminder that impaired driving is a major threat on our roadways.

Unique allies in the war against drunk and drugged driving, these cop and doc teams give new meaning to the term "surgical strike," supporting and building awareness of the regional border-to-border enforcement campaign, Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike against Drunk Driving. Sponsored by [state/District of Columbia] and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Mid Atlantic Region as part of National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month in December, officers in every jurisdiction throughout this region aggressively will be conducting sobriety checkpoints to enforce impaired driving and seat belt laws. In 2002, NHTSA’s Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign stopped more than 400,000 people and pulled more than 1,700 impaired drivers off the road.

Why are we launching this aggressive strike? Despite years of effort, impaired driving is still one of our nation’s most serious and most preventable public health problems. In our position on the front line of the war against impaired driving, members of our cop and doc teams are confronted daily by the tragic consequences of drinking and driving.

All too often, drunk drivers are forced to make an unwanted detour on the way home – either to jail, to an emergency room, or to the morgue. Every year, one out of every 140 motorists is arrested for driving under the influence and faces the loss of their license and jail time. Every two minutes, another person is injured in a crash in which alcohol was present. And, every 30 minutes another person will die in an alcohol-related traffic crash. Last December, these crashes cost our nation 1,100 fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. The Checkpoint Strikeforce cops and docs are determined not to allow this senseless loss of life to continue.

Right now, we all can take a stand in this fight. It starts inside our own vehicles. Only when every American takes responsibility for his or her own safety and the safety of the vehicle’s passengers, will this problem diminish. Together, our Cop-Doc teams remind everyone:

1. Don’t risk it – if you plan to drive, don’t drink.
2. Choose a sober designated driver before partying.
3. Take mass transit, a taxi, or ask a friend to drive you home if you didn’t plan in advance.
4. Spend the night where the activity is being held.
5. Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
6. Wear your seat belt to help protect against injury if you are hit by an impaired driver.

We urge you to help local cops and docs make this holiday safe for everyone.

# # #

 

Checkpoint Strikeforce Enforcement Effort Enlists Local Physicians

Commentary from [Law Enforcement Officer Name/Organization] and [Physician Name/Organization]

Unique allies in the war against drunk and drugged driving, local law enforcement officers are joining with area physicians to give new meaning to the term "surgical strike" in the regional Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign. During this winter holiday season, the new cop and doc teams will increase awareness of the tragic consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs through an aggressive public education and enforcement campaign.

Local cops and docs know that DUI arrests don’t happen only to people with drug and alcohol problems. Physical impairment begins with the first drink. Important driving skills – such as reasoning ability and response time – are impaired at blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.01 to 0.02, a legal BAC limit in all states. At the BAC level at which our state calls a driver "impaired," every individual’s driving ability is significantly affected. In 2001, approximately 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. Some of those impaired drivers – likely just on their way home after stopping for a drink or two – were charged with the crime after being discharged from an emergency room, where they and their victims were sent after a crash.

Sponsored by [state/District of Columbia] and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Mid Atlantic Region as part National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month in December, Checkpoint Strikeforce: A Surgical Strike against Drunk Driving is a border-to-border, sustained campaign to enforce impaired driving and seat belt laws. During the effort, hundreds of law enforcement officers in every jurisdiction throughout this region will be conducting sobriety checkpoints. This program has had impressive results. During the 2002 effort, law enforcement officers pulled about 1,700 impaired drivers off the road.

Remember: It is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to drive while impaired. If you choose to break [our state’s/the District of Columbia’s] impaired driving laws, you may lose your license and be subject to stiff penalties, including fines and jail time.

Impaired drivers put themselves, their passengers, and other motorists at risk. In fact, at [our state’s/the District of Columbia’s] legal limit of [0.08/0.10], drivers are [2.5/5] times more likely to be involved in a crash than a sober driver. In 2002, about 17,500 people died and about 250,000 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes in the United States.

Together, our Cop-Doc teams remind everyone:

• Don’t risk it – if you plan to drive, don’t drink.
• Choose a sober designated driver before partying.
• Take mass transit, a taxi, or ask a friend to drive you home if you didn’t plan in advance.
• Spend the night where the activity is being held.
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
• Wear your seat belt to help protect against injury if you are hit by an impaired driver.

This holiday and every day, it’s everyone’s responsibility to help make our nation’s highways safe.

KELLY MICHENER
A MARKETING, BRANDING, & COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY
333 NORTH ARCH STREET, LANCASTER, PA 17603-2922
P.O. BOX 959, LANCASTER, PA17608-0959
PHONE 717 393-9776, FAX 717 393-0443, www.kellymichener.com

MEMBER: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ADVERTISING AGENCIES, WORDWIDE PARTNERS, INC.