The Cincinnati Police Department will join with law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the country in a national enforcement campaign against impaired driving between August 17 and September 4.  The message of this campaign is “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.”  The U.S. Department of Transportation is expanding its “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk” campaign, which has asked family and friends to take the keys from impaired drivers.  “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving” shifts the message to personal responsibility by addressing the impaired driver who thinks it is acceptable to get behind the wheel after having enough drinks to feel “buzzed.” 

Impaired driving remains one of America’s deadliest social problems.  In 2004 nearly 13,000 drivers or motorcycle operators with Blood Alcohol Count levels of .08 or above – the illegal limit in all states – died in motor vehicle crashes.  Most people don’t intend to drive drunk, but too many find themselves at the end of the night without a sober designated driver.  Unfortunately, many of these drivers convince themselves and their friends that they are able to drive with the comment, “I’m okay.  I’m just buzzed.”  Consuming even a few drinks can impair driving, and feeling “buzzed” means a person is too impaired to drive.