Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 96 Part 2.djvu/281

 PUBLIC LAW 97-343—OCT. 15, 1982

96 STAT. 1643

Public Law 97-343 97th Congress Joint Resolution To provide for the designation of the week of December 12, 1982, through December 18, 1982, as "National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week".

Whereas traffic accidents cause more violent deaths in the United States than any other cause, over fifty thousand in 1980; Whereas traffic accidents also play a substantial role in serious injuries in this country; Whereas between 40 and 55 per centum of drivers who are fatally injured have alcohol concentrations in their blood above the legal limit and this figure rises to 55 to 65 per centum in single vehicle crashes; Whereas the total societal cost of drunk driving has been estimated anywhere from $5,000,000,000 to $25,000,000,000 a year, which does not include the human suffering that can never be measured; Whereas there are increasing reports of driving after drug use and accidents involving drivers who have used marihuana or other illegal drugs; Whereas more research is needed on the effects of drugs on driving ability and their impact on the incidence of traffic accidents, either alone or in combination with alcohol; Whereas an increased public awareness of the gravity of the problem of drugged driving may warn drug users to refrain from driving and may stimulate interest in increased research on the effects of drugs on driving ability and the incidence of traffic accidents; Whereas the public, particularly through the work of citizens groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID), is demanding a solution to the problem of drunk driving; Whereas the President has appointed a Commission on Drunk Driving to heighten public awareness and stimulate the pursuit of solutions; Whereas many States have appointed task forces to examine the existing drunk driving program and make recommendations for a renewed, comprehensive approach; Whereas an increase in the national awareness of the problem of drunk and drugged driving may help to sustain current efforts to develop comprehensive solutions at the State and local levels; and

——'[S.J. Res. 241]

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