Citation

Shearouse R. Transp. Res. Circular 1999; (487): 13-15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, U.S. National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This report looks at recent trends on the federal and state levels in legislation and policy that are detrimental to the progress made in impaired driving, then comments on the future role of the federal government. It is stated that we must devise new strategies while continuing to do what we are presently doing and do it better, if we want to reach the ambitious goal of reducing alcohol-related fatalities to no more than 11,000 by the year 2005. There is a call for the reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), which must be enhanced and improved from the funding perspective. The Section 402 State and Community Safety Program is the keystone highway safety program on the federal level. Opponents are becoming more and more involved on the federal level. They have not only targeted passage of effective drunk driving countermeasures, but have also attempted to silence the voice of the highway safety organizations by promoting and supporting the passage of legislation on the federal level that would restrict the political advocacy activities of non-profit organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). In light of this opposition, there must be a better packaging of public policy goals in a more user friendly manner for legislators, the general public and the media. Various recommendations of the Partners in Progress task force are listed.