Mississippi Gaming Industry Reacts to Department of Public Safety Traffic Statistics.

Business Editors

JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2001

The Mississippi Gaming Association recently analyzed traffic safety data compiled by the state's Department of Public Safety Planning, highlighting the positive trend of reduced injuries and fatalities throughout the time gaming has been operating in Mississippi. "Although more needs to be done to further reduce these incidents, the MGA members take great pride in the fact that gaming tax dollars contribute to safer roads, increased police protection and reduced fatalities from drunken driving," said Andy Bourland, Executive Director of the MGA.

"Despite statements to the contrary, the facts about traffic safety and gaming in Mississippi clearly demonstrate that counties where gaming is located are among the safest anywhere in the state," Bourland said. "The industry has been deeply concerned about recent media reports charging increased highway fatalities and drunken driving as a result of complimentary alcoholic beverages in casinos," he added. "The truth of the matter in Mississippi, however, is quite the opposite."

Statewide traffic safety data for the 1990s show it is becoming safer to drive in Mississippi. Both injury and fatality rates on Mississippi's roads declined steadily through the 1990's. The department of public safety planning figures show that between 1993 and 1999, fatality rates fell 12 percent and injury rates fell over 39 percent. Using either measure, 1999 was the safest year of the decade.

"Several of our critics have suggested that drunk drivers are simply being caught less," Bourland noted. "But traffic fatality data reveals even stronger confirmation alcohol is becoming less of a problem on Mississippi's roads," he added. The percentage of traffic fatalities that were alcohol related declined in every year from 1993 to 1999. This rate fell from over 47 percent in 1993 to 36 percent in 1999.

"In fact, the state's own traffic fatality data for counties with gaming or significant gaming traffic shows an even more profound drop in alcohol related incidents than in the state as a whole," Bourland said. In gaming areas, the portion of traffic facilities that were alcohol related was 17 percent lower than the statewide figure in 1997, 38 percent lower in 1998, and a full 47 percent lower in 1999. "We're extremely proud of the fact that none of the gaming traffic counties are in the 20 most dangerous Mississippi counties in terms of traffic fatalities," said Bourland.

The millions of dollars in local government revenue from the gaming industry are improving safety. Local gaming revenues are used to further upgrade highways and roads. Additionally, increased local funding means that public safety budgets have increased dramatically. "A strong police presence is an important deterrent to drunk driving," he added.

"The industry takes the effort seriously, providing employees with various programs on excessive alcohol consumption and intervention, cut-off policies and procedures to discourage the over-consumption of alcohol," he said.