Who:
Chief of Police William J. Bratton and other LAPD Representatives, Los Angeles City Council Members, Representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.

What:
Press Conference to Bring Attention to Issue of Drunk Driving

When:
Tuesday, December 31, 2002, at 3:00 p.m.

Where:
Southeast Corner of Sunland Boulevard and Glenoaks Boulevard, Foothill Area

Los Angeles: On January 1, 2002, a young mother, and her 23 month-old son needlessly lost their lives at the above-noted intersection at the hands of a drunk driver. City VIP’s and surviving family members, with a photo of their lost love ones, will be on scene to urge the motoring public to have a safe New Year’s Eve and to not drive while intoxicated.

With more motor vehicles on the road will come the increased possibility that more individuals will choose to drive under the influence (DUI) of alcoholic beverages and/or other illegal substances. For the period of January 1, 2002 to November 30, 2002, Los Angeles Police Department officers made over 13,300 DUI-related arrests. During this same period, traffic collisions in the City of Los Angeles resulted in 1,204 serious traffic collisions [116 of these were DUI-related]. Of the total serious traffic collision, 174 of these cases resulted in fatalities. Twenty-eight of these fatalities were DUI-related.

Every 30 minutes someone in America dies due to a collision with an impaired driver, and every two minutes an impaired driver injures someone. Everyone is at risk. This New Year’s Eve, the LAPD will invoke a zero tolerance posture toward intoxicated drivers and traffic offenders.

The Los Angeles Police Department wants everyone to celebrate this New Year’s Eve responsibly and avoid becoming a DUI statistic. If you become intoxicated, do not get behind the wheel of a car. Use a designated driver and buckle up.

This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Grace Brady, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.