Transportation Secretary Slater Announces July 4th Survey Results

Name: North American International Auto Show Returns to Detroit
Uploaded: 2023-03-02T00:39:09+00:00
Duration: T0H3M37S
Description: 2022 Overview report by Mark Ducker and Wild Road Pictures.
3 July 1998
Transportation Secretary Slater Announces July 4th Survey Results; Cautions Holiday Travelers About Safety
    WASHINGTON, July 2 -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E.
Slater today urged Americans to travel safely as they celebrate the nation's
222nd birthday, especially in light of a new Department of Transportation
survey indicating that nearly two-thirds of adults attending July 4th parties
will consume alcohol.
    "Because of increased travel and recreational activity during holidays,
the risk of accident and injury is greater.  But we can avert the tragedy that
results from accidents by paying close attention to safety -- especially by
not drinking and driving," Secretary Slater said.  "Safety is President
Clinton's highest transportation priority."
    The survey, conducted by the department's National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) and The Advertising Council, stated that 65 percent of
July 4th party goers will drink alcohol. The report also showed that 49
percent of the respondents consider drunk driving the most important social
issue, followed by the needs of children and crime; 72 percent tried to
prevent a friend or family member from driving drunk; and of those, 54 percent
took the keys to prevent others from driving drunk, 27 percent talked others
out of driving, and 27 percent drove themselves.
    "We all need to make a commitment this Fourth of July, and throughout the
year, to stop drunk drivers before they get into the car," NHTSA Administrator
Ricardo Martinez, M.D., said.
    The department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates
that there were 470 fatalities on the nation's highways during last year's
July 4th weekend, with 228, or 48.6 percent, alcohol-related.  This weekend
rate was 93 percent higher than the annual rate for 1997.  However, federal
and state efforts have demonstrated success over the past six years.  In 1992,
535 people were killed in traffic accidents over the three-day holiday period.
In 1997, this decreased by 12 percent to 470.  The percent of alcohol-related
fatalities for the July 4th holiday weekend in these years decreased from 55.8
percent to 48.6 percent.  There were the 42,000 annual traffic fatalities in
1997 of which about 16,500 were alcohol-related.
    The Clinton Administration's successful efforts to combat drinking and
driving continue.  Most recently, President Clinton signed into law the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which includes $500 million in
incentive grants for states to adopt .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as
the national standard for drunk driving.  Earlier this week, South Carolina
became the 50th state to enact a zero tolerance law for drivers under 21 years
old, a major initiative begun by President Clinton in 1995.
    Secretary Slater urged recreational boaters as well as drivers not to
drink and drive.  The Coast Guard has mounted an aggressive campaign against
drunken boaters, and noted that some states have laws imposing a .08 blood
alcohol concentration threshold similar to drunk driving laws for motor
vehicle drivers.  The Coast Guard estimates that about 800 people die in
recreational boating accidents each year, with 28 percent of them alcohol-
related in 1996, the latest year from which statistics are available.
    Because of increased travel anticipated during the holiday weekend,
Secretary Slater offered the following additional advice:

    *  Buckle up for every trip; ensure that young children are properly
restrained in safety seats.

    *  Plan your trip. Allow plenty of time.  Drive friendly, avoid speeding
and other aggressive driving behavior, and stop to rest if you become sleepy.
Be sure to carefully observe warnings, especially railroad grade crossing
signs and signals.

    *  If you are boating, ensure that everyone aboard is using an approved
life jacket.

    *  If you are flying to your destination, do not pack fireworks or other
prohibited items in your checked or carry-on bags; persons who do so risk
fines, criminal prosecution and the safety of themselves and other passengers.

    *  Arrive early at the airport; holiday crowds and strict security may
increase the time you need to check in.

    *  In an airport, do not joke about having a bomb or firearm in your
possession; penalties can be severe, including prison time and fines.

    *  Watch your luggage in an airport; don't accept packages from strangers
and keep your eyes open for unattended packages and baggage.

    According to data from the department's Bureau of Transportation
Statistics, the days around July 4th are the third most traveled.  There is
more travel around Thanksgiving and Christmas. In 1995, the latest year from
which statistics are available, Saturday of the July 4th weekend was the
seventh busiest day for trips in passenger cars and trucks, and the 31st
busiest day for air travel.
    NHTSA and The Advertising Council during June 1998, conducted a random
survey of 1,000 people nationwide to obtain information about drunk driving.