[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 232 (Monday, December 4, 1995)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62185-62186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29623]
[[Page 62183]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part IV
The President
_______________________________________________________________________
Proclamation 6853--National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention
Month, 1995
Proclamation 6854--World AIDS Day, 1995
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 232 / Monday, December 4, 1995 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 62185]]
Proclamation 6853 of November 30, 1995
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention
Month, 1995
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
For many young Americans, learning to drive is a
significant step along the road to maturity and
independence. There are serious responsibilities that
accompany getting a driver's license, and it is
essential to teach our youth--and all Americans--the
terrible risks of drunk and drugged driving. Males aged
21-34 are among those most likely to drive under the
influence of alcohol or drugs, and there is a critical
need for additional prevention efforts aimed at this
group.
Alcohol use played a role in 16,600 motor vehicle-
related fatalities last year--nearly 41 percent of all
such deaths. While the number of these tragedies has
declined significantly over the past decade, the
statistics are still devastating. We must continue our
campaign of public education, provide increased law
enforcement, and seek tougher laws and penalties for
offenders.
Last June, I called on the Congress to make ``Zero
Tolerance'' the law of the land and require States to
adopt a Zero Tolerance standard for drivers under the
age of 21. I am pleased that this provision was
included in the ``National Highway System Designation
Act of 1995,'' which I signed this week. It is already
against the law for young people to consume alcohol,
and Zero Tolerance creates a national standard that
will make it effectively illegal for young people who
have been drinking to drive an automobile.
Many States have already enacted Zero Tolerance laws.
These laws work--alcohol-related crashes involving
teenage drivers are down as much as 20 percent in those
States. When all States have these laws, hundreds more
lives will be saved and thousands of injuries will be
prevented. I commend the Congress for heeding my call
and making Zero Tolerance the standard nationwide for
drivers under the age of 21.
I am also proud that citizens across the Nation are
working to spread the word about the dangers of
impaired driving. Vital partnerships have formed among
Federal, State, and local government agencies, private
businesses, and community groups. Last year, on
December 15, many Americans observed ``Lights on for
Life Day'' by driving with their headlights illuminated
in remembrance of the victims of drunk and drugged
driving. I hope that caring citizens will commemorate
the same day this month, doing their part to help
ensure a safe holiday season.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim December 1995, as National
Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. I urge all
Americans to recognize the dangers of impaired driving;
to take responsibility for themselves, their guests,
and their passengers; to stop anyone under the
influence of drugs or alcohol from getting behind the
wheel; and to help teach children safe driving
behavior.
[[Page 62186]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of November, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twentieth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 95-29623
Filed 11-30-95; 4:40 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P
