Since 1981, the month of December has been set aside as a month to focus on the prevention of drunk driving across our nation. It is estimated that 17,000 people are killed and 700,000 are injured each year as a result of alcohol-related traffic crashes. In Virginia alone, 11,736 drunk driving automobile accidents occurred in 2006 causing the death of individuals and injuring 7,543. Every 31 minutes there is an alcohol-related crash fatality in the United States.These staggering statistics compel action by both government and individuals. I have supported federal legislation to establish mandatory alcohol assessments and mandatory one year suspensions for drunk drivers with a blood-alcohol level of .15 or above. This same legislation toughens existing drunk driving laws by eliminating the option of community service for individuals with multiple drunk driving arrests.Many states have implemented laws mandating the use ignition interlock systems for individuals convicted of drunk driving, which require drivers to blow into a breathalyzer tube prior to being able to start their vehicle. If the breathalyzer registers the driver’s blood-alcohol level at above the legal limit the car will not start. Ignition interlock systems have been credited with reducing drunk driving fatalities, and I have supported federal measures which offer drunk driving offenders the option of a reduced sentence in exchange for installing an ignition interlock system.Another critical component in the fight against drunk driving is the prevention of underage drinking. Approximately one-third of all deaths of young people ages 15-20 are the result of auto accidents, and one-third of these accidents are caused by alcohol. I have recently supported legislation which provides grant funding for communities to design and disseminate strategies to maximize the effectiveness of community-wide approaches to preventing and reducing underage drinking. Additionally, I have supported a new program that will provide grants to states, non-profit entities, and colleges to create program to prevent binge drinking among students at institutions of higher education.We, as citizens, also have a responsibility in preventing drunk driving in our communities. For example, individuals who are hosting a holiday party or other get-together should follow some simple guidelines to ensure that party-goers do not drink and drive. The guidelines include:

• Encouraging guests ahead of time to designate a driver
• Knowing the condition of any guest before allowing them to leave the party
• Planning activities at the event so that the focus is not on drinking
• Serving a variety of food and non-alcoholic beverages alongside alcoholic beverages
• Designating one person to serve as bartender who can control the number of drinks a person is served and the amount of alcohol in each drink
• Closing the bar at a party at least one hour prior to the end of the party
• Arranging a ride home for a guest or inviting him or her to spend the night

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly at the New River Voice.