December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Campaign Urges Motorists to Take Pledge to Never Drive Impaired
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and AAA Northeast today launched a holiday campaign to bring awareness to impaired driving as part of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, an important time to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and to offer solutions to help reduce impaired driving on our roadways.
The campaign utilizes the social media channels of Attorney General Kilmartin and AAA Rhode Island, and encourages law enforcement and other highway safety organizations to participate and engage their social media followers in a conversation about the dangers of impaired driving, remind the public on how to report suspected impaired drivers, and to offer alternatives to driving impaired.
The campaign also includes asking all motorists to sign the AAA pledge to never drive impaired. The pledge can be found here: http://duijusticelink.aaa.com/for-the-public/take-the-pledge/.
Enforcement of DUI laws is a critical component to ending impaired driving and keeping Rhode Island roadways safe, yet despite increased enforcement - especially during times traditionally known for increased impaired drivers - the number of motor vehicle fatalities in Rhode Island has increased after almost a decade of decline.
"Deaths on Rhode Island roadways increased a staggering 76 percent for the first 11 months of this year as compared to the same time period last year. Seventy-nine individuals won't be sitting down to Christmas dinner this year; 79 individuals won't ring in the New Year with family and friends; and 79 individuals are being mourned by loved ones," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.
"The percentage of fatalities in the state attributable to alcohol impairment is considerably higher than the national average," said Lloyd Albert, senior vice president of public affairs at AAA. "If this collaborative effort between our auto club and the Attorney General's office, including taking the AAA pledge to never drive impaired, saves just one life this holiday season, it will have been well worth the effort. We urge all Rhode Islanders to make the pledge and help make our roadways safer for all motorists," he added.
While deterrence through enforcement is certainly a factor, Attorney General Kilmartin believes education and public engagement can help change driver behavior.
"We all have the power to end the impaired driving on our roadways. By choosing to not drive impaired, reporting suspected impaired drivers, or offering a ride to a friend or a family member who is impaired, we can save lives," he added. "To date, 2017 has been a deadly year on our roadways. Let's work together, engage the public, and end the year with zero fatalities.
To follow and the social media campaign: • Attorney General Kilmartin Twitter: @AGKilmartin • AAA Rhode Island Twitter: @AAANe_RInews • AAA Massachusetts Twitter: @AAANE_MAnews • AAA Twitter: @AAAnews • AAA Facebook: AAA Northeast