Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 99 Part 1.djvu/306

 99 STAT. 284

PUBLIC LAW 99-84—AUG. 8, 1985 Public Law 99-84 99th Congress Joint Resolution

Aug. 8, 1985 [S.J. Res. 137]

To designate the week of December 15, 1985, through December 21, 1985, as "National Drunk and Dru^ed Driving Awareness Week".

Whereas traffic accidents cause more violent deaths in the United States than any other cause, approximately forty-four thousand in 1984; Whereas traffic accidents cause thousands of serious injuries in the United States each year; Whereas more than 60 per centum of drivers killed in single vehicle collisions and 45 per centum of all drivers fatally injuined in 1984 had blood alcohol concentrations above the l ^ a l limit; Whereas the United States Surgeon General has reported that life expectancy has risen for every age group over the past seventyfive years except for Americans fifteen to twenty-four years old, whose death rate, the leading cause of which is drunk driving, is higher now than it was twenty years ago; Whereas the total societal cost of drunk driving has been estimated at over $24,000,000,000 per 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 marijuana or other ill^al drugs; Whereas driving after the use of therapeutic drugs, either alone or in combination with alcohol, contrary to the advice of physician, pharmacist, or manufacturer, may create a safety hazard on the roads; Whereas more research is needed on the effect of drugs either alone or in combination with alcohol, on driving ability and the incidence of traffic accidents; Whereas an increased public awareness of the gravity of the problem of dru^ed driving may warn drug users to refrain from driving and may stimijQate interest in increasing necessary research on the effect of drugs on driving ability and the incidence of traffic accidents; Whereas the public, particularly through the work of citizens groups, is demanding a solution to the problem of drunk and drugg^ driving; Whereas the Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving, appointed to heighten public awareness and stimulate the pursuit of solutions, provided vital recommendations for remedies for the problem of drunk driving; Whereas most States have appointed task forces to examine existing drunk driving programs and make recommendations for a renewed, comprehensive approach, and in many cases their recommendations are leading to enactment of new laws, along with stricter enforcement;

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