MADD and Delegate Iaquinto Join Together to Support Critical Anti-Drunk Driving Legislation

Organization urges passage of Virginia interlock bill for first-time drunk drivers

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 13, 2008; National leaders from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Virginia Del. Sal Iaquinto, R-Virginia Beach, and others affected by drunk drivers today urged the state Senate to pass H.B. 1442, a bill that would require alcohol ignition interlocks to be installed on the vehicles of all first-time drunk driving offenders in Virginia. The measure overwhelmingly was approved by the House of Delegates on Tuesday by an 80 - 18 vote.

"Our vision of eliminating drunk driving can become a reality," said Glynn Birch, National President of MADD. "The first step is implementing proven solutions that currently exist to prevent deaths and injuries due to drunk driving. One solution is alcohol ignition interlocks, which could not only save thousands of lives, but also gives offenders the ability to drive without endangering the public." An alcohol ignition interlock is a breath test device linked to a vehicle's ignition system. Interlocks are used as a condition of probation for drunk driving offenders after their driver's licenses have been reinstated. When a driver wishes to start his or her vehicle, he or she must first blow into the device, but the vehicle will not start unless the driver's alcohol level is below the illegal limit of .08.

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. Currently, Virginia drunk driving laws only require ignition interlocks for those convicted of a second or subsequent drunk driving offense or those found to have a BAC at or above .15. Because these laws do not require first-time offenders to have an interlock, Virginians are sharing the road with thousands of convicted drunk drivers each time they back out of their driveway.

Research shows that first-time offenders arrested for drunk driving have driven drunk more than 87 times before their first arrest. In addition, studies estimate that 50 to 75 percent of drunk drivers whose licenses are suspended continue to drive. While this bill would ensure that Virginia's roadways are safer by preventing drunk drivers from committing the crime again, the maintenance and installation costs related to these devices would be covered by the offender, not Virginia taxpayers.

"The only way to ensure that convicted drunk drivers stop harming people is to make sure that they do not drink and drive again," said Del. Iaquinto, "This bill does that -- and will make the Commonwealth's roadways safer for all Virginia families."

Fortunately for Virginia and the rest of the nation, alcohol ignition interlocks are proven to be an effective tool in the battle against drunk driving. Studies have shown alcohol ignition interlocks are up to 90 percent effective in keeping both first-time and repeat offenders from recommitting the crime, as long as the interlock is installed on the vehicle. Because of their effectiveness, the devices have the potential to save more than 4,000 lives now lost in repeat drunk driving crashes annually. And the public has noticed, as 85 percent approve the use of interlocks for repeat offenders and 65 percent approve their installation in the vehicles of first-time offenders. Even 82 percent of offenders believe that interlocks are effective and fair.

"We know that the technology works," says Chuck Hurley, CEO of MADD. "Now we need to implement these advances on our roads, every day in every state across the nation. Too many drunk driving offenders are back on the road, and it is our duty to ensure that they do not risk the lives of others and that they only drive while sober."

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.

"The real possibility of eliminating drunk driving in this country is a powerful, even audacious, idea. Yet the tools are now at hand. Using advanced technology, tougher enforcement, stronger laws and grassroots mobilization, the goal of eliminating a primary public health threat that has plagued the United States is within our reach," said Birch, whose 21-month-old son was killed by a drunk driver in 1988.

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 http://www.madd.org/.