Tennessee Remembers Victims of Impaired Driving
Governor’s Highway Safety Office and Law Enforcement Officials’ Holiday Message –
Don’t Drink and Drive

Nashville, Tennessee – The Tennessee Department of Transportation Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO) along with local and state law enforcement and safety advocates held a news conference today in Nashville to memorialize victims of impaired driving in recognition of National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month.

Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. Last year, 447 people died on Tennessee highways as a result of impaired driving. Nationally, more than 17,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes. Every 30 minutes, nearly 50 times a day, someone in America dies in an alcohol-related crash and hundreds of thousands more are injured each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives.

For this reason, the GHSO is joining forces with national, state and local law enforcement and safety advocates to remind everyone to make wise decisions – always designate a sober driver before each holiday party or event involving alcohol. Increased sobriety roadblocks, safety checkpoints, heightened patrols and other enforcement techniques will be deployed by local police and sheriff departments and the Tennessee Highway Patrol in full support of the state’s Booze It and Lose It campaign, which is designed to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities on our highways.

“During the holiday travel season in Tennessee our interstate traffic rises an estimated 10 percent,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “When alcohol is added to the mix, the holiday travel season can become deadly. Nearly 40 percent of all traffic deaths in Tennessee are alcohol-related.”

“The Tennessee Highway Patrol remains vigilant this holiday season in its crusade against impaired driving,” said TDOS Commissioner Fred Phillips. “As families and friends gather to celebrate the holiday season, help the THP in its efforts to keep you and your loved ones safe by stopping an impaired driver from operating a vehicle.”

“Too often this season of thanksgiving, joy and fellowship becomes a time of pain, grief and loss as drunk or drug-impaired drivers get behind the wheel,” said GHSO Director Chuck Taylor. “The holiday season is supposed to be a time for celebrations, but it is unfortunately also a time when we see a tragic jump in the number of alcohol-related fatalities. Our message is clear – don’t drink and drive, it’s a deadly combination.”

During 3D Prevention Month, highway safety officials offer these simple reminders for a safe holiday:

• Plan ahead and designate a sober driver BEFORE you go out
• Don’t even think about getting behind the wheel of your vehicle if you’ve been drinking
• Take the keys and never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired
• If impaired, call a taxi – use mass transit -- or get a sober friend or family member to come and get you or just stay where you are and sleep it off
• If you are hosting a holiday party this year, make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver

On New Year’s Eve from 10:00 pm – 3:00 am, individuals may call 862-RIDE (862-7433) for a safe and sober ride home.

For the past 20 years, the Davidson County Sheriff's Office has proudly sponsored the Sober Ride program on New Year's Eve, and this year is no different. It is never acceptable to drink and drive, but we make it extremely easy this night by providing free, safe, and sober rides home." Sheriff Daron Hall said. "Do the smart thing every time you have had too much to drink, call a sober friend, call a cab, or on New Year's Eve, call Sober Ride."

“If you do drink and drive and make the choice to get behind the wheel of a vehicle then be prepared to be arrested,” warned Ronal Serpas, Nashville Chief of Police. “Vigorous law enforcement efforts to get impaired drivers off the streets are in full force.

“Too many people still don’t understand that alcohol, drugs and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime,” added Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall “Impaired drivers will be caught.”

Today’s new conference included a dramatic display of 447 teddy bears on the steps of the Tennessee State Capitol as a representation of lives lost in alcohol-related traffic accidents in the state during 2003. Chattanooga-based UnumProvident Corporation, North America’s leading income- protection insurance company, donated the bears. Following the event, the teddy bears were given to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.