Washington, D.C. — As Memorial Day kicks off the unofficial start of summer, Responsibility.org is launching its summer campaign, “Responsibility Starts Here, There, and Everywhere,” a nationwide reminder that every adult plays a role in preventing drunk driving and keeping our roads safe. This campaign emphasizes that responsibility begins “here” with everyday choices, “there” in our communities, and extends “everywhere” to everyone as they travel throughout the summer.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,405 people were killed in vehicle crashes during the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day in 2024 (latest data available), with an estimated 31.5% of the fatalities occurring in a drunk driving crash.
“Summer travel means busier roads, and every driver deserves to feel safe,” said Responsibility.org Executive Director Leslie Kimball. “Most adults who choose to drink do so responsibly, but it only takes one person making the wrong decision to put lives at risk. I encourage everyone to plan ahead, look out for one another, and make safe transportation choices. Preventing drunk and impaired driving is a shared responsibility, and it starts here, with each of us.”
Responsibility.org is committed to encouraging responsible decision-making around alcohol and continuing efforts to eliminate drunk and impaired driving during the summer months and beyond. Key elements of this campaign include:
- Promotion of Responsibility.org’s Virtual Bar app to help adults understand how different factors can affect BAC and support informed decision-making, particularly around driving safely
- Engagement with law enforcement and traffic safety partners to reinforce the shared responsibility for safer roads
- Virtual sessions to learn more about impairing hemp beverages and the updated Computerized Assessment and Referral System (CARS) screening and assessment tool
- Social media education reminding adults to budget for and schedule ride share services, plan to take public transportation, or appoint a designated driver before events and gatherings that include drinking
- A social media toolkit for companies and individuals to use to remind others that responsibility starts here, there, and everywhere
- Public awareness messaging in a leading Hill publication to elevate drunk driving prevention among policymakers
“As millions travel on the roads this summer, responsibility must guide us here, there, and everywhere we go,” Kimball said. “This campaign empowers adults with the tools and information they need to make responsible choices and arrive safely. We all have the right to navigate the roads free from drunk and impaired drivers.”
For more information about this campaign, visit www.Responsibility.org/everywhere.
