MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving Leads to Victories in Washington, West Virginia, Virginia and Nebraska

Additional states considering similar lifesaving alcohol ignition interlock legislation in 2008

DALLAS, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Legislatures in four states have approved lifesaving measures to expand the use of alcohol ignition interlocks for convicted drunk drivers and several more are considering similar legislation this year -- marking significant progress for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in its effort to eliminate drunk driving. MADD applauds these states that have taken legislative action to help prevent future victims of drunk driving.

"We applaud the significant progress lawmakers have made this year in Washington, Nebraska, Virginia and West Virginia, and urge other states to follow suit by passing tough legislation requiring alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers," said Glynn Birch, national president of MADD. "While fatalities from drunk driving have flatlined over the last several years, we can do more to stop the future victims of drunk driving."

In Washington, the Legislature approved a bill -- H.B. 3254 -- to require all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders, to install alcohol ignition interlocks on their vehicles. Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) signed the bill into law to prevent drunk driving so that roads are safer for Washington families.

In Nebraska, the Legislature unanimously passed Legislative Bill 736, which requires the installation of an alcohol ignition interlock device for both first- and second-offense drunk drivers. The bill, signed into law by Governor Dave Heineman (R), will require license revocations followed by an alcohol ignition interlock restricted license period of 120 days for first-time offenders and 245 days for second-time offenders or first-time offenders with a .15 or above blood alcohol content (BAC).

In West Virginia, the Legislature has passed and Gov. Joe Manchin (D) signed S.B. 535, a bill that expands the use of alcohol ignition interlocks for first-time, high BAC drunk driving offenders and sets up strong incentives for those offenders with a lower BAC to use the devices.

In Virginia, the Legislature has passed H.B. 1442, a bill that aims to reduce recidivism by requiring convicted drunk drivers who violate the conditions of a restricted license to install an alcohol ignition interlock on their vehicle. While MADD will push Virginia and West Virginia to pass legislation that requires alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, the passage of these two laws will save lives and is an important step forward.

MADD expects several other states to consider lifesaving alcohol ignition interlock legislation this year. Bills have been introduced or are currently in development in California, Florida, Colorado, Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri and North Carolina. MADD is working to ensure that these bills are passed so that more states can take advantage of the existing technology that has proven to save lives on our nation's roadways.

While interlocks are proven to save lives, it is estimated that only one out of eight convicted drunk drivers each year currently has an interlock on their vehicle. In 2007, MADD began an aggressive legislative strategy aimed at expanding the use of alcohol ignition interlocks in all 50 states as part of the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. Last year, Arizona, Louisiana and Illinois joined New Mexico in requiring alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders.

Drunk driving has been stagnant for nearly a decade with 13,470 Americans dying in 2006 in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08 or higher, the illegal limit throughout the U.S. In addition, 22 states recorded increased numbers of drunk driving fatalities in 2006.

All of these deaths and injuries are 100 percent preventable. Studies estimate that 50 to 75 percent of drunk drivers whose licenses are suspended continue to drive -- and that one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of driving under the influence are repeat offenders. Research shows that these drivers are 40 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than those without prior drunk driving arrests or convictions.

"People continue to drive drunk because they can," said Chuck Hurley, MADD's Chief Executive Officer. "Alcohol ignition interlocks prevent convicted drunk drivers from re-offending. These devices will prevent injuries and save thousands of lives."

An alcohol ignition interlock is a breath test device linked to a vehicle's ignition system. When a driver wishes to start his or her vehicle, he or she must first blow into the device. The vehicle will not start unless the driver's alcohol level is below the legal limit of .08 BAC. Studies have shown alcohol ignition interlocks are up to 90 percent effective in reducing recidivism while installed on the vehicle. The devices have the potential to save more than 4,000 lives now lost in repeat drunk driving crashes annually.

MADD believes the tools are now at hand to eliminate drunk driving from the United States. The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, launched in November 2006, has four elements: intensive, high-visibility law enforcement, full implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, development of advanced vehicle technologies to prevent drunk driving and grassroots support led by MADD and its 400+ affiliates, to make the elimination of drunk driving a reality.

MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501 (c)(3) charity with 2 million members and supporters nationwide. Founded in 1980, MADD has helped save more than 330,000 lives. For more information, visit www.madd.org.