Twenty years ago the term “designated driver” came into existence in an effort to reduce the number of drunk driver fatalities. To create public awareness and to encourage the designated driver practice, Sandy Heverly, Executive Director of STOP DUI in Las Vegas presented the “Red Ribbon” concept to the State, culminating in the first Red Ribbon Road campaign. On the outskirts of the then small city of Las Vegas, Nevada, State Road 157 leading up to Mount Charleston saw an average 17 alcohol-related fatalities each year. Most fatalities occurred during the holiday season and were often violent due to excessive speed and drunk driving along the 22 mile stretch of the two-lane rural highway with numerous twists and tall desert rock along the roadsides. Today, State Road 157 is observed as the first “Red Ribbon Highway” in the United States. On November 29, STOP DUI will commemorate “two decades of making a difference” along this road with a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held at 11 a.m. at the base of State Road 157. Law enforcement, transportation, government officials, and fire and rescue crews participate in the annual observation. Snow poles along the roadside will be lined with 340 red ribbons to symbolize the estimated 340 lives saved on this dangerous stretch of highway since STOP DUI first recognized the road as a "Designated Drivers” thoroughfare in 1987.
Heverly’s dedication to the anti-DUI movement goes beyond the observation of a red ribbon highway and providing the signature red ribbons that represent STOP DUI. As Executive Director of STOP DUI in Las Vegas, she implemented the “Victim’s Impact Panel” that is a major source of funding for STOP DUI. The Victim’s Impact Panel is mandated as part of the Nevada DUI statute and is attended by some 500 plus DUI offenders every month. “Based on a two-year study by the Las Vegas Municipal Court of 906 DUI offenders, the Victim’s Impact Panel has a 92-percent success rate for offenders not to repeat the offense,” said Heverly.
Another milestone for Heverly was her ability to gain the support of the Nevada Resort Association to pass Nevada’s “open container law” in1991.
Heverly now has 25 years with the cause and is always looking for new campaign ideas to communicate her message to the public. In 1986, she partnered with the Mount Charleston Lodge, a restaurant and lounge at the end of State Road 157, who on New Year’s Eve give a warm bottle of champagne to the designated driver in each party to take home at the end of their evening. The Mount Charleston Lodge also hosts the awards luncheon held after the annual Red Ribbon Road Observation, recognizing local law enforcement officials for their continued efforts to keep the roads safe.
Since 1983, Heverly’s STOP DUI chapter has provided close to $450,000 to thousands of DUI victims and their families in Las Vegas and surrounding areas. She has twice received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “Public Service Award”, and in 1991 was recognized by President Bush for efforts in DUI legislation and victim assistance along with John Walsh and five others. Heverly’
