This holiday season, hundreds of government agencies, law enforcement officials, community groups, local businesses, major U.S. corporations and Universities are banding together to recognize National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month and Take a Stand Against Impaired Driving.

I encourage you to join this national movement by taking your own stand against impaired driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has set a national goal of reducing DWI fatalities to 11,000 annually by the year 2005. That’s almost 6,000 fewer than last year, and it’s a rate that would reduce impaired driving fatalities to 30 percent of the total in a decade. This is an ambitious goal, one that will require all of us doing our part.

Taking a stand is simple, and there are a lot of ways to do it. First of all, don’t drink and drive. Never serve alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21. If you drink, always plan ahead and designate a non-drinking driver.

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If you are having a party this holiday season, be a responsible host. Serve a wide variety of beverages, including some that are non-alcoholic. Control the amount of alcoholic beverages served no open bars. Ask alcohol-impaired guests to stay overnight or call a cab to assure them a safe ride home.

Together, we can reach our goal of decreasing DWI-related fatalities and injuries. These are tragedies that don’t need to happen. Do your part to take a stand against impaired driving this holiday season and throughout the year.