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Gov. Togiola proclaims December -

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month;

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(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today in a church service to launch National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month at CCCAS Nu’uuli reminded residents of the Territory about the dangers of driving impaired this holiday.
“Last year in American Samoa there were 33 related DUI crashes, 9 injuries from DUI crashes, and 163 drivers were arrested for drunk driving,” said Governor Togiola. “Your government, through the Department of Human and Social Services and the Department of Public Safety, in promoting Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month and Over the Limit, Under Arrest campaigns by supporting anti-impaired driving program and policies. As you can tell from those numbers, there is still much work to be done.”
Governor Togiola said the three most critical skills for a good, safe driver are judgment, vision and reaction.

“You may think you can, but studies show that drunk or drugged drivers cannot make a good decision behind the wheel, you cannot see clearly while driving, and you cannot respond well while operating your vehicle because alcohol suppresses those three essential driving skills making you an impaired driver. And Impaired driving is against the law.” said Governor Togiola. “This is the season of good cheer. So, enjoy the holidays and make sure that your Christmas celebration this year is one you will live to remember. If you drink this holiday, don’t drive.”

The Department of Public Safety said by following these easy steps, drivers can enjoy a safe and festive holiday without placing their own lives and the lives of the others on the road at risk:

-Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;

-Designate a sober driver and give that person the keys before ever consuming a drink;

-If impaired, use a taxi or call a sober driver to get home safely;

-If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Police;

-If someone is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and make other arrangements to get them where they are going safely.

PROCLAMATION

DECEMBER 2009

National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month

WHEREAS, motor vehicle crashes kill over 40,000 people and injure three million every year, at a cost to society of some $150 billion; and

WHEREAS, alcohol-related crashes account for approximately 40 percent of those deaths and injuries; and

WHEREAS, last year in American Samoa there were 33 related DUI crashes, 9 injuries from DUI crashes, and 163 drivers arrested for drunk driving; and

WHEREAS, the December holiday season is traditionally one of the most deadly times of the year for alcohol-impaired driving; and

WHEREAS, for thousands of families across the nation, the December holidays bring somber reminder of the loved ones they lost to an impaired driver during a previous holiday season or at any time during the year; and

WHEREAS, community-based programs involving consumer education, effective laws, and police enforcement have proven to be successful in reducing impaired driving; and

WHEREAS, organizations from our territory are joining the Department of Human Social Services and the Department of Public Safety in promoting The Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month” and “Over the Limit, Under Arrest” campaigns this December by supporting anti-impaired driving program and policies; and

WHEREAS, American Samoa is a partner in that effort to make our roads and streets safer;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Togiola T.A. Tulafono, Governor of American Samoa, do hereby proclaim December 2009 as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month in American Samoa and hereby call upon all citizens, government agencies, business leaders, hospital, schools, and public and private institutions to promote awareness of the impaired driving problem, to support programs and policies to reduce the incidence of impaired driving, to promote safer and healthier behaviors regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs, and to provide opportunities for all to participate in the Over the Limit Under Arrest campaign this December holiday season and throughout the year.

In Witness Thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of my Office on this 27th day of November in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine

TOGIOLA T.A. TULAFONO
Governor

--americansamoa.gov---

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Gov. Togiola proclaims December -

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month;