Presidential Documents

64131

Federal Register

Vol. 62, No. 233

Thursday, December 4, 1997

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7057 of December 1, 1997

National Drunk And Drugged Driving Prevention Month,

1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Driving is a privilege enjoyed by millions of Americans. It offers us freedom,

mobility, and the chance to discover what lies over the next hill or around

the next bend in the road. But driving also brings with it serious responsibilities. Among the most important of these is a driver’s responsibility to

stay sober. Tragically, many Americans ignore this responsibility.

Drunk or drugged drivers are a menace not only to themselves, but also

to the communities in which they drive. Last year alone, they killed more

than 17,000 of their fellow citizens and injured thousands more. Research

has shown that teenage drivers and those aged 21 to 34 are most likely

to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

We must reaffirm our commitment to educate these and all drivers about

the dangers of operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs, and

we must strengthen law enforcement efforts that will prevent impaired drivers

from getting behind the wheel in the first place. We must also work together

as a national community to make drunk and drugged driving socially unacceptable, and continue to support educational programs and legislation that

teach all our citizens the terrible risks of drunk and drugged driving. By

doing so, we can prevent thousands of deaths and injuries each year and

protect our families, our friends, and ourselves from becoming victims of

this deadly behavior.

I am proud of the ‘‘Zero Alcohol Tolerance’’ legislation that 45 States and

the District of Columbia have adopted, making it illegal for drivers under

the age of 21 who have been drinking to drive a motor vehicle. I call

upon all Americans, including policymakers, community leaders, State officials, parents, educators, health and medical professionals, and other concerned citizens to continue to support such legislation and to work together

to save lives. I challenge American businesses to take a stand against impaired

driving both on and off the job and to remember that an alcohol- and

drug-free workplace is the right and responsibility of every worker. Finally,

in memory of the thousands who have lost their lives to drunk and drugged

drivers, I ask all motorists to participate in ‘‘National Lights on for Life

Day’’ on Friday, December 19, 1997, by driving with vehicle headlights

illuminated. In doing so, we will call attention to this critical national

problem and remind others on the road of their responsibility to drive

free of the influence of drugs and alcohol.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution

and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 1997 as National

Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. I urge all Americans to

recognize the dangers of impaired driving; to take responsibility for themselves and others around them; to prevent anyone under the influence

of alcohol or drugs from getting behind the wheel; and to help teach our

young people about the importance and the benefits of safe driving behavior.
64132 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 233 / Thursday, December 4, 1997 / Presidential Documents

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of

December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven,

and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred

[FR Doc. 97–31946

Filed 12–3–97; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twenty-second.

œ–