National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2013

Proclamation 9065 of November 29, 2013

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During the holiday season, Americans join with family,
friends, and neighbors to take part in longstanding
traditions. For some, those celebrations are tempered
by the absence of loved ones taken too soon in traffic
crashes involving drugs or alcohol, or caused by
distracted driving. During National Impaired Driving
Prevention Month, we dedicate ourselves to saving lives
and eliminating drunk, drugged, and distracted driving.

Impaired drivers are involved in nearly one-third of
all deaths from motor vehicle crashes in the United
States, taking almost 30 lives each day. This is
unacceptable. My Administration is committed to raising
awareness about the dangers of impaired driving,
improving screening methods, and ensuring law
enforcement has the tools and training to decrease
drunk and drugged driving. We are designing effective,
targeted prevention programs, and are working to
curtail all forms of distracted driving, including
texting and cell phone use. To keep the American people
safe this holiday season, law enforcement across our
Nation will participate in the national Drive Sober or
Get Pulled Over campaign from December 13 to January 1.
This initiative increases enforcement and reminds us
all to consider the consequences of impaired driving.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe--
from parents, schools, and businesses to faith-based
and community organizations. Together, we can teach
young people, friends, and fellow citizens how to avoid
a crash brought on by impaired driving. I encourage all
Americans to designate a non-drinking driver, plan
ahead for alternative transportation, or make
arrangements to stay with family and friends before
consuming alcohol. Americans should also know what
precautions to take if using over-the-counter or
prescription medication. For more information, please
visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/ONDCP and www.NHTSA.gov/Impaired Impaired.

This month and always, let every American drive sober,
buckle-up, and avoid distractions while driving. If we
take these actions and encourage those around us to do
the same, we will save thousands of lives and keep
thousands of families whole.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim December 2013 as
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. I urge all
Americans to make responsible decisions and take
appropriate measures to prevent impaired driving.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord
two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.