National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2021

Vol. 86

Friday,

No. 230

December 3, 2021

Part IV

The President

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Proclamation 10316--National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2021

Proclamation 10317--World AIDS Day, 2021

Executive Order 14056--The National Space Council

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 10316 of November 30, 2021

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2021

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every year, thousands of lives are needlessly lost on
our Nation's roadways because of alcohol--and drug-
impaired driving. These are avoidable tragedies that
leave deep holes in our Nation's families and
communities. During National Impaired Driving
Prevention Month, we reaffirm our commitment to
preventing impaired driving. We remember the victims
and honor their memory by making the responsible
decision to drive sober and ensure that others do the
same.

Driving while impaired by any substance--legal or
illegal--is dangerous. Alcohol, illicit drugs, and even
over-the-counter and prescription medications can
impair a driver's judgment, decrease motor
coordination, and slow the reaction time necessary to
safely operate a motor vehicle. Alcohol-impaired
driving has led to over 10,000 deaths each year.

My Administration is committed to reducing the number
of impaired drivers and raising awareness about the
dangers of driving impaired. The new Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act calls for the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration to issue a new standard
for ``advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention
technology'' for new vehicles, which would help prevent
impaired drivers from taking the wheel.

My Administration is building our capacity to end
impaired driving by supporting innovative strategies
that reduce impaired driving-related crashes, injuries,
and fatalities while safeguarding against bias and
ensuring racial equity. To identify and support people
with substance use disorders, we are increasing
impaired driving risk screening, supporting evidence-
based prevention programs, and providing access to
evidence-based treatment and recovery support services.
My Administration is also raising awareness about the
effects of impairment on driving ability through the
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel
Different, You Drive Different national media
campaigns.

While our technology continues to advance and may one
day help solve the problem of impaired driving,
everyone must take individual responsibility and pledge
to never drive while impaired and to deter others from
making that fateful decision.

During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we
recommit ourselves to doing all we can to stop these
preventable crashes and remember those who lost their
lives as a result of impaired driving. We must also
share our appreciation for the law enforcement officers
who risk their lives each day to keep our communities
safe while keeping impaired drivers off of our
roadways.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 2021
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
thirtieth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
sixth.