Message Heats Up As July 4th Weekend Approaches
National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske, Administrator David Strickland of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and professional race driver Sarah Fisher will hold a news conference on Tuesday, June 22, to raise public awareness of drugged driving on the Nation’s roadways.
Kerlikowske, Strickland, and Fisher will also be joined by Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier and Jill Ingrassia of the American Automobile Association (AAA).
“Americans are familiar with the terrible consequences of drunk driving and the dangers posed by texting or talking on a cell phone while driving,” said Director Kerlikowske. “Now, as we approach the Fourth of July, one of the busiest periods on the Nation’s roads, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is teaming up with public and private-sector partners to highlight another public safety issue – drugged driving.
“Several recent studies have shown that a significant number of drivers have drugs in their system when they get behind the wheel,” said Kerlikowske. “But just as we have made progress in addressing drunk driving and texting while driving, we can raise awareness of drugged driving and educate people about the dangers it presents. Drugs negatively affect judgment, reaction time, motor skills, and memory.”
To increase public awareness of the issue, ONDCP has produced public service announcements featuring Director Kerlikowske with Fisher, who has raced in the Indianapolis 500 nine times, and also with public officials, including Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler and DC Police Chief Lanier.
National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske, Administrator David Strickland of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and professional race driver Sarah Fisher will hold a news conference on Tuesday, June 22, to raise public awareness of drugged driving on the Nation’s roadways.
Kerlikowske, Strickland, and Fisher will also be joined by Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier and Jill Ingrassia of the American Automobile Association (AAA).
“Americans are familiar with the terrible consequences of drunk driving and the dangers posed by texting or talking on a cell phone while driving,” said Director Kerlikowske. “Now, as we approach the Fourth of July, one of the busiest periods on the Nation’s roads, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is teaming up with public and private-sector partners to highlight another public safety issue – drugged driving.
“Several recent studies have shown that a significant number of drivers have drugs in their system when they get behind the wheel,” said Kerlikowske. “But just as we have made progress in addressing drunk driving and texting while driving, we can raise awareness of drugged driving and educate people about the dangers it presents. Drugs negatively affect judgment, reaction time, motor skills, and memory.”
To increase public awareness of the issue, ONDCP has produced public service announcements featuring Director Kerlikowske with Fisher, who has raced in the Indianapolis 500 nine times, and also with public officials, including Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler and DC Police Chief Lanier.
Comments