R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-28.9-1: Declaration of policy.

The general assembly recognizes alcohol-related traffic fatalities require special legislative initiatives. Over one million (1,000,000) people are either killed or injured every year due to alcohol-related crashes. About three (3) out of five (5) Americans will be affected by an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. Economic costs of alcohol-related crashes are estimated to be forty-five billion dollars ($45,000,000,000) yearly. Based on these statistics and projections, it will be the state legislature’s policy to provide more resources to state law enforcement to reduce alcohol-related vehicular crashes and fatalities.