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MADD Credits Increased Law Enforcement and the Passage of Key, Anti Drunk-Driving

Laws for the Significant Decrease in Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities in 2003 

August 10, 2004

Statement from Lynne Goughler, Vice President of Public Policy, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

MADD is pleased that for the first time since 1999, there has been a three percent decrease in alcohol-related traffic fatalities. This is the lowest level of alcohol-related fatalities since 1999 and we credit much of this success to increased law enforcement and passage of key anti-drunk driving laws across the country. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued its 2003 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data today and it shows that 17,013 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes - an average of one almost every half-hour - accounting for approximately 40 percent of 42,642 total traffic fatalities. In 2002, there were 17,524 alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

Lives are often taken needlessly when a person chooses to drive drunk and then crosses the center line, runs up on the curb or weaves among lanes. Not only are lives taken but there is a financial burden on victim/survivor families and the rest of the community. 

Alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion in 2000, including $51.1 billion in monetary costs and an estimated $63.2 billion in quality of life losses. This is why high-visibility law enforcement efforts like sobriety checkpoints, as well as enforcement of seat belt and .08 illegal blood alcohol level laws, save more lives and more money in the long run. 

With 511 fewer alcohol-related traffic fatalities from 2002 to 2003, it is clear that all of these efforts provide a comprehensive solution that is making an impact-lives saved and injuries prevented.

MADD applauds the numerous health, safety and political leaders that have focused on drunk driving in their communities. It has made a difference, but there is much more that must be done to continue reducing the 17,000-plus number of alcohol-related fatalities and half a million injuries occurring each year. 

It is going to take accountability; adequate funding; a commitment from the public; efforts to prevent underage drinking; frequent, high-visibility law enforcement campaigns; training and education for prosecutors; and judges who send a clear message that drunk driving is a serious crime. 

We are headed in the right direction. Now, let's look forward to a future with fewer and fewer alcohol-related traffic crashes and fatalities.

Source: MADD