A joint resolution to designate the week of December 15, 1985, through December 21, 1985, as "National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week".
PL 99-84 (S.J.Res.137), enacted 08/08/1985

99 STAT. 284 
PUBLIC LAW 99-84—AUG. 8, 1985 
Public Law 99-84 
99th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Aug. 8, 1985 
To designate the week of December 15, 1985, through December 21, 1985, as 
[S.J. Res. 137] 
"National Drunk and Dru^ed Driving Awareness Week". 
Whereas traffic accidents cause more violent deaths in the United 
States than any other cause, approximately forty-four thousand in 
1984; 
Whereas traffic accidents cause thousands of serious injuries in the 
United States each year; 
Whereas more than 60 per centum of drivers killed in single vehicle 
collisions and 45 per centum of all drivers fatally injuined in 1984 
had blood alcohol concentrations above the l^al limit; 
Whereas the United States Surgeon General has reported that life 
expectancy has risen for every age group over the past seventy-
five years except for Americans fifteen to twenty-four years old, 
whose death rate, the leading cause of which is drunk driving, is 
higher now than it was twenty years ago; 
Whereas the total societal cost of drunk driving has been estimated 
at over $24,000,000,000 per year, which does not include the 
human suffering that can never be measured; 
Whereas there are increasing reports of driving after drug use and 
accidents involving drivers who have used marijuana or other 
ill^al drugs; 
Whereas driving after the use of therapeutic drugs, either alone or 
in combination with alcohol, contrary to the advice of physician, 
pharmacist, or manufacturer, may create a safety hazard on the 
roads; 
Whereas more research is needed on the effect of drugs either alone 
or in combination with alcohol, on driving ability and the in-
cidence of traffic accidents; 
Whereas an increased pubUc awareness of the gravity of the prob-
lem of dru^ed driving may warn drug users to refrain from 
driving and may stimijQate interest in increasing necessary re-
search on the effect of drugs on driving ability and the incidence 
of traffic accidents; 
Whereas the public, particularly through the work of citizens 
groups, is demanding a solution to the problem of drunk and 
drugg^ driving; 
Whereas the Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving, appointed 
to heighten public awareness and stimulate the pursuit of solu-
tions, provided vital recommendations for remedies for the prob-
lem of drunk driving; 
Whereas most States have appointed task forces to examine existing 
drunk driving programs and make recommendations for a re-
newed, comprehensive approach, and in many cases their rec-
ommendations are leading to enactment of new laws, along with 
stricter enforcement; 
PUBLIC LAW 99-84—AUG. 8, 1985 
99 STAT. 285 
Whereas the best defense against the drunk or drugged driver is the 
use of safety belts and greater safety belt usage would increase the 
number of survivors of traffic accidents; 
Whereas an increase in the public awareness of the problem of 
drunk and drugged driving may contribute to a change in society's 
attitude toward the drunk or drugged driver and help to sust£iin 
current efforts to develop comprehensive solutions at the Stfite 
and local levels; 
Whereas the Christmas and New Year holiday period, with more 
drivers on the roads and an increased number of social functions, 
is a particularly appropriate time to focus national attention on 
this critical problem; 
Whereas designation of "National Drunk and Drugged Driving 
Awareness Week" in each of the last three years stimulated many 
activities and prc^rams by groups in both the private and public 
sectors aimed at curbing drunk and drugged driving in the high-
risk Christmas and New Year holiday period and thereafter; and 
Whereas the activities and programs during "National Drunk and 
Drugged Driving Awareness Week" have heightened the aware-
ness of the American public to the danger of drunk and drugg:ed 
driving: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States ofAmeruxL in Congress assembled. That the week of Decem-
ber 15,1985, through December 21,1985, is designated as "National 
Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week" and the President is 
authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the 
people of the United States to observe that week with appropriate 
activities. 
Approved August 8, 1985. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORy—S.J. Res. 137: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 131 (1985): 
June 10, considered and passed Senate. 
Aug. 1, considered and passed House.