National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2016

Vol. 81

Friday,

No. 232

December 2, 2016

Part VII

The President

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Proclamation 9547--National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2016

Proclamation 9548--World AIDS Day, 2016

Proclamation 9549--To Modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States and for Other Purposes

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 9547 of November 30, 2016

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Driving drunk, drugged, or distracted poses a
significant threat to drivers, passengers, pedestrians,
and all who share our roads. During the holiday season,
incidents of impaired driving occur more frequently,
and every December, we observe National Impaired
Driving Prevention Month to highlight steps we can take
to improve safety on our streets and raise awareness of
these preventable dangers.

Recently, the number of traffic crash fatalities caused
by impaired driving has unfortunately increased--last
year, preventable alcohol-related driving fatalities
accounted for nearly one-third of all traffic
fatalities. Consumption of alcohol by drivers, even
those who are of legal drinking age, is highly
dangerous, and drug use, including prescription drug
use, can also harm judgment, perception, and the motor
skills used when driving. Distracted driving--including
eating, tending to passengers, and using a cell phone--
can also be dangerous and is equally preventable.

We can all do our part to keep our roads safe and
prevent these tragedies. As passengers, we can reduce
our interactions with drivers and lessen distractions.
As friends and family members, we can look out for
loved ones who may be drinking and help them get home
safely. And as citizens, we can always call 911 to
report any dangerous driving we observe.

My Administration has worked to help Americans who
struggle with substance use disorders and substance
misuse, which can lead to incidents of drunk or drugged
driving. We are also striving to give law enforcement
officers the resources and support they need to combat
impaired driving, and we must encourage the development
of technologies like ignition interlock devices, which
can prevent impaired individuals from getting behind
the wheel. Through the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
campaign, States and communities across our country are
working to increase road patrols and sobriety
checkpoints, in addition to raising awareness and
improving education on the dangers of impaired driving.
You can learn more about what we are doing to prevent
impaired driving by visiting www.WhiteHouse.gov/ONDCP/DruggedDriving DruggedDriving, www.NHTSA.gov/DriveSober, and
www.Distraction.gov.

Whether encouraging parents to set a good example for
their teen drivers or educating every driver on the
dangers of unsafe driving, we must recommit to doing
everything we can to prevent driving-related injuries
and fatalities. This month, let us continue empowering
drivers to make responsible decisions and educating the
American people on ways they can help keep our roads
safe and our futures bright.

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 2016 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 sixteen, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-first.