"Don't Drink and Drive" Napkin and "Pledge" Card Distribution on Thursday, December 15, 2005

Last year, 16,694 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in the United States -- an average of one death almost every half-hour. These deaths constituted approximately 39 percent of the 42,636 total traffic fatalities. To increase public awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving and help reduce the number of drunk driving-related fatalities and injuries, West Hollywood Councilmember Sal Guarriello, West Hollywood Sheriff's Station Captain David Long, deputies from the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station and Public Safety staff will join together on Thursday, December 15, 2005, for a "Don't Drink and Drive" call to action news conference at 6:30 p.m. in front of Saddle Ranch Chop House at 8371 W. Sunset Boulevard.

"It is imperative that the City of West Hollywood continues to remind people not to drink and drive," said Councilmember Sal Guarriello. "With so many restaurants and bars serving alcohol here in West Hollywood, we have an obligation to help spread the message that drinking and driving is a very bad thing. Everyone should enjoy the holiday season and have fun but be safe and act responsibly."

Immediately following the news conference, the group, along with volunteers, will distribute "Don't Drink and Drive" cocktail napkins to bars, clubs and restaurants along Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. In its ninth year, the "Don't Drink and Drive" Cocktail Napkin Campaign will urge patrons to take a taxi or use a designated driver if they have been out drinking.

The napkins will also remind patrons that the Sheriff's Deputies are watching closely for drunk drivers.

Additionally, West Hollywood Sheriff's Deputies and the Sunset Strip Business Association Security Ambassadors will be distributing "Pledge Cards" to party goers that same night and throughout the holiday season. The small pledge card will conveniently fit into a wallet and point out the financial penalties and incarceration associated with drunk driving. More importantly, the Pledge Card will contain information that AAA Auto Club will be offering free "Tipsy Tow" rides home and car tows between December 31, 2005, at 6 p.m. until January 1, 2006, at 11:59 p.m. The rides will be offered free to anyone regardless of if they are a member of AAA or not. A flyer version of the Pledge Card will be distributed to all the businesses in West Hollywood for posting during the holiday season.

For more information, call Donna Saur at 323-848-6460 or Imee Gacad Perius at 323-848-6431.