It was the same sad story – portrayed by the government’s just – released report on traffic fatalities for 1980. A total of 51,077 deaths on the nation’s streets and highways, matching or surpassing the 50,000-plus American fatalities in the Vietnam War. Significant, the government said, was a dramatic increase in the problem of drunk driving over the past few years, with more than half of the fatally – injured drivers tested found to be legally drunk. This doesn’t include passengers. For a number of years it’s been rule-ofthumb that about half of the highway deaths occur in alcohol – related accidents. Other key factors in the road carnage included: – Failure to use seat belts or other restraints. In fatal accidents where the driver was alone, only 3 percent were lmovm to be using belts. – A mix of more smaller cars with larger trucks. More than 13,000 persons almost half of all passenger car fatalities – occupied compact or subcompact cars. – Deteriorating roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said nearly 70 percent of all fatal accidents occurred on state, county and local highways, generally not as well- maintained as the interstate system. Interstate driving accounted for only 9 percent of fatal accidents although comprising more than 19 percent of the travel. The report said states have stepped up testing of drivers for blood alcohol levels because of a jump in alcohol abuse on the highways. Alcohol safety programs are one of the N1-1TSA’S top priorities. The highway safety effort should extend nationwide and involve the public. Effective leadership is vital. A current congressional initiative calls for presidential appointment of a blue ribbon commission to research the drunk driving problem and solutions. This is good, but why not expand the effort to encompass the entire field of traffic safety with a national campaign to reduce the highway slaughter?