File: College DUI Press Release # 22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Sean Pressman
	(610) 798-4121

LEHIGH VALLEY REGIONAL DUI TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES COLLEGE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Allentown (November 21, 2006) --
Sean A. Brown Press Release # 22 Safety Press Officer November 21, 2006
PennDOT, Engineering District 5-0
(610) 798-4121
sebrown@state.pa.us




LEHIGH VALLEY REGIONAL DUI TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES COLLEGE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Allentown, PA (November 21) – With the support of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Alcohol Highway Safety Program, local law enforcement agencies, colleges and universities; the Lehigh Valley Regional DUI Task Force kicked off a college education program today prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The operation contains a series of educational direct mailers and college based blast emails to the student body. In an effort to combat drunk driving and destructive decisions, the Task Force, joined by local college and university officials, reminded the college-aged audience that the number one travel day of the year is on the eve of Thanksgiving. The eve of Thanksgiving is also the number one alcohol consumption night of the year.

-more-



College DUI Program, Page 2.
These two factors coupled together can be a deadly combination that has resulted in 1,260 alcohol related crashes including 44 fatalities, and over 900 injuries statewide during the holiday weekend over the last five years.
The Task Force partners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Pennsylvania DUI Association to raise public awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence, speeding, and seat belt usage.

“The best defense against a drunk driver is a seatbelt.”


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