BRIDGEVILLE, Pa., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation is encouraging the motoring public to wear red articles of
clothing, red ribbons and Red-Out Day stickers to show their support for this
special day. PennDOT fleet equipment and vehicles will be displaying red
ribbons. This day also kicks off National "Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention
Month" which is in December.
Tuesday, November 23, 1999, is National RED-OUT DAY. Red Ribbons are to
be tied to motor vehicles reminding people to buckle up, drive safe & sober.
The ribbon serves as a visual statement for concern over the problem of drunk
driving and the color red represents life, community energy and holiday
spirit.
Nationally, from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve of 1998, 1,644 people were
killed in alcohol related traffic crashes (1999-National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration statistics). For the entire year of 1998, 36% of total
traffic deaths were alcohol-related or on average, 38 alcohol-related crashes
occurred each day. Pennsylvania statistics for 1998 show 535 people died in
alcohol-related crashes. Locally, Allegheny County had 1,264 crashes that
were alcohol-related with 28 people dying. In Beaver County, the numbers were
11 deaths and 213 crashes. Lawrence County had 137 crashes with 10 deaths
resulting from irresponsible intoxicated drivers. These are the types of
crashes that are 100% preventable.
PennDOT & MADD wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season by reminding
motorists to designate drivers for parties, call a cab, take the bus, never
let a friend or co-worker drive impaired and Remember, "If you don't have a
designated driver ... ONE MAY BE APPOINTED FOR YOU."
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Transportation - District 11
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Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/682850.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 682850
CONTACT:
Catherine Tress of PennDOT, 412-429-6035
EDITORS' ADVISORY: This is PennDOT Release PR No. PRS 1001.
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