Governor Urges Safe Holiday & Summer Driving -- Law Enforcement to Step Up Efforts to Stop Drunk Driving

Governor Urges Safe Holiday & Summer Driving -- Law Enforcement to Step Up Efforts to Stop Drunk Driving

Waterbury, Vt.—Governor Jim Douglas today urged Vermonters and visitors to drive carefully over the Independence Day Holiday period and throughout the summer season.

Governor Douglas said it was particularly important to drive carefully because this time around Fourth of July celebrations often has a high rate of alcohol-related crashes and deaths.

"Every driving-related fatality is a tragedy for family and friends," Governor Douglas said. "We know, however, that most of these tragedies could be prevented if everyone slowed down, buckled up and paid closer attention on our roads. And no one, under any circumstance, should ever drink and drive."

The Governor also urged drivers to put away cell phones, watch out in work zones, take a break if tired, and avoid stressful situations by anticipating the heavier traffic common during summer months.

Commissioner of Public Safety Kerry Sleeper, said law enforcement would be stepping up efforts to stop drinking drivers over the coming holiday, and all throughout the summer months.

"People who drink and then get behind the wheel put everyone on the road at risk. Even though we have safer cars, with air bags, side impact beams, and other safety features, poor judgment by a drinking driver can negate that in a hurry," said Sleeper. "Law enforcement officers all throughout Vermont will be stepping up efforts to stop drivers who are, or have been, drinking."

Vermont has seen a steady decline in fatal highway crashes over the past few years, including setting a record low number just three years ago. That will change this year, however, unless Vermonters start driving safely, Commissioner Sleeper noted. Through May of 2006 Vermont has had 41 highway fatalities, compared to a yearly average of 23 for the previous three years. The last time Vermont saw fatalities in the triple digits was 1998, when 104 people died on our roadways.

Commissioner Sleeper is calling for a statewide summit to address the rising number of fatalities.

"This is a concerning trend, and one we are working hard to reverse," Governor Douglas said. "But we need every driver and every Vermonter to do their part to help keep our roadways safe."

Fewer instances of drinking and driving, safer cars and roadways, and occupant protection programs like Click It or Ticket have all added up to safer roadways, according to Jeannie Johnson, Coordinator of the Governor's Highway Safety Program.

"Speed and alcohol continue to be the biggest factors in fatal crashes, but we are seeing more cases of aggressive and inattentive driving. Vermont's highways are busy. People need to give themselves more time to get where they are going, and resist the urge to ‘make up time' by driving too fast if they get stuck in traffic," said Johnson.

"For the upcoming holiday weekend there will be interagency cooperative enforcement throughout the state" said, Major James Baker of the Vermont State Police. "The Vermont State Police and other law enforcement agencies will be working together to support sobriety checkpoints and patrols that will target aggressive and impaired drivers and use of safety belts"

Vermont State Police will also be supporting Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) by adding extra patrols to this effort to reduce crashes.

March and May were the deadliest months in Vermont, with 12 and 11 killed, respectively. In 2005, March saw only 3 fatalities, and 7 in May. There were a total of 74 highway fatalities in 2005, the third lowest year for Vermont. Vermont's worst year was 1979, when 161 people died on our roadways.

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