It makes sense that driving a heavy vehicle after drinking heavily can be deadly. Participants at the 2003 National DUI Enforcement Symposium learned first hand just how deadly such behavior really is. Amidst the wealth of information shared by keynote speaker, Dr. Jeffrey Michael, Director of the Impaired Driving and Occupant Restraint Division at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, was the fact that in 2002, the largest increase in alcohol related crashes came from drivers of SUV’s, who registered an 11% increase. Additionally, Dr Michael pointed out that in 87% of the alcohol related crashes blood alcohol levels were higher than .08. Interestingly, the number of dui fatalities increased in 2002 but injuries decreased. Because it was the third year in a row that DUI fatalities increased, Dr. Michael called on law enforcement officials to take a leadership role in reversing the trend. Northwestern University Center for Public Safety officials promised to make all of their resources available to assist in the effort.

“The Center is particularly pleased to serve as the focal point for a renewed interest in DUI,” said Director Alexander Weiss, Ph.D. While Dr. Weiss’ statistical snapshot showed DUI arrests heading downward from a peak in the 1980’s nationwide, not all the news was bad. Participants learned about successful law enforcement strategies from Tennessee, Washington, Illinois, Ohio, and New York. They learned strategies for testifying so that prosecutors could get more convictions, and they received a poignant reminder of who loses when motorists drive under the influence.

More than one speaker had lost a brother, child, or other relative to dui. Former MADD President Millie Webb received a standing ovation after she told the heart-wrenching story of the loss of her two young children and thanked everyone for their tireless efforts in keeping offenders off the roads.

The consensus among participants was that dui is a re-emerging issue that cannot be ignored. “I’ve been getting ideas from other departments that we may implement,” said Major Bryan Wauke, Honolulu Police Department. Wauke said he was especially interested in the school presentations offered by the Buffalo Grove and Naperville, IL police departments.