Attorney General Larry Long Takes Aim at Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking in Radio Campaign

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long today launched a campaign aimed at preventing drunk driving and underage drinking with new 30-second radio public service announcements set to air on stations throughout the state. The spots are timed to coincide with the back-to-school season and will air more than 1,200 times between now and October.

"The fact is, drunk-driving crashes are 100 percent preventable," Long says. "This initiative reminds adults that we all play a part in preventing drunk driving, and that one of the easiest and most effective ways to do that is by designating a driver. By doing so, South Dakotans are joining the millions of adults nationwide who have been or have used a designated driver."

Long also takes aim at underage drinking with two radio spots that remind parents about the importance of talking with their teenage and college-age children about underage and abusive drinking and, for parents with teens still at home, refusing to host underage parties with alcohol. According to a report from the National Academy of Sciences, two-thirds of teens who drink say they get alcohol from their parents or other adults. Further, the GfK Roper Youth ReportSM, a survey of teens conducted for more than a decade, reveals the majority of teens (69 percent), ages 13 to 17, have consistently cited their parents as the No. 1 influence on their decisions to drink or not.

"With school back in session, now is the perfect time for parents to talk with their teens about drinking," explains Long. "Parents have a tremendous influence on their teens’ decisions about whether or not to drink. By communicating openly and honestly, setting a good example, and not providing alcohol for their teens or their teens’ friends, parents play a critical role in ensuring their children make smart, safe choices."

The radio spots will rotate in paid airings on radio stations across South Dakota throughout September and October. Production and placement of the public service announcements was provided by Anheuser-Busch Cos. as part of its continuing efforts to help prevent drunk driving and underage drinking. No public funds were used to create or run these messages. GfK Roper Youth Report is a trademark of GfK Custom Research North America.