DOT, NHTSA Launch Holiday Crackdown on Drunk Driving
The two organizations launch the annual campaign aimed at preventing drunk driving over the holidays
From December 13, 2013 to January 1, 2014, NHTSA and DOT are running their annual “Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over” winter crackdown on drunk driving, according to a press release from DOT’s website. The campaign is being spearheaded by NHTSA’s David Strickland and U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. The organization is partnering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
In addition to their campaign, NHTSA released the “Model Guideline for State Ignition Interlock Programs” that will help states create and implement a breath alcohol ignition interlock program. The program is supported by $7.5 million in national advertising on the TV and the radio with ads that are designed to raise awareness about drunk driving. The ads also show support for law enforcement activities across the country that are designed to reduce drunk driving deaths.
According to NHTSA, 830 were killed due to drunk driving in the holiday season alone last year.