August 29, 2008
New national figures show a significant decline in the number of drunken driving-related fatalities occurring nationally and in 32 individual states.
At the same time, Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters announced that the number of alcohol-related fatalities among motorcyclists is climbing in half of the states.
"More drivers are getting the message that if you drink and drive, you will be caught, you will be arrested and you will go to jail," Peters said. "But as good as this progress is, in this day and age there is simply no excuse for someone to drink and then drive."
Peters noted that last year an estimated 12,998 people were killed in crashes where a vehicle operator had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, representing a 3.7 percent decline in fatalities from the 13,491 fatalities in 2006.
However, figures showing that 25 states experienced an increase in the number of drunken motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes was disappointing, said the secretary.
Peters added that the department was working with law enforcement agencies across the nation to launch stepped-up drunk driving enforcement efforts during the Labor Day holiday period. DOT also is spending $13 million on advertising during the holiday weekend to deliver the message, "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest."
