David Vitter’s Letter about Drunk Driving

The following is a message from Senator David Vitter:

This week I had the privilege of meeting with a local  Louisiana chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving to learn more about their efforts  to help combat drunk driving and underage drinking here in Louisiana.

In 2008, we had 404 alcohol-related fatalities in  Louisiana.  We must do more to reduce this number.

MADD is working on an Underage Drinking Prevention Program  that revolves around service-learning opportunities for kids.  This  program is a great example of a citizen-led effort to solve a pressing problem  in our society.

To be truly successful in our battle to reduce  underage drinking and drunk driving, parents need to be engaged in these  efforts as well.

I had the honor to work last year with the Century  Council to promote their Ask, Listen, Learn Initiative, which encourages  parents to talk to their children about the dangers of underage drinking.   Through this program, I also met with Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor  to discuss ways we can promote healthy lifestyles for our children and minimize  underage drinking and drunk driving.

In my meetings with MADD and the Century Council, I’ve  really enjoyed learning more about the different ways Wendy and I can talk  about this issue with our own four children, and I’ll continue pursuing federal  policies that can help us combat these challenges.