Washington State House and Senate Unanimously Pass Lifesaving Drunk Driving Legislation
3/13/2008
Contact Information
Mike McNeil, GMMB
(202) 572-2889
mike.mcneil@gmmb.com
Heidi Castle, MADD National
(469)420-4545
heidi.castle@madd.org
Olympia, Wash. (March 11, 2008) – On Friday, March 7, Washington moved closer to becoming the first state in 2008 to pass lifesaving legislation requiring all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders, to install an alcohol ignition interlock on their vehicle. H.B. 3254, which passed the Senate by a 47-0 vote, will make it more difficult for convicted drunk drivers to drive drunk. Introduced into the state legislature by Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland), the bill already unanimously passed the House by a 95–0 vote and now moves to Governor Gregoire’s desk for a signature.
With the bill’s passage, Washington is poised to join four other states that require alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, including New Mexico, Arizona, Louisiana and Illinois. In New Mexico, there has already been a 25 percent decrease in fatalities from drunk driving since its alcohol ignition interlock law was implemented just a few years ago.
“Sadly, Washington lost 225 people to drunk drivers in 2006,” said Judy Eakin, Executive Director of MADD Pacific Northwest. “MADD would like to thank Washington lawmakers for addressing this problem by passing a bill that will make it harder for drunk drivers to drive recklessly on our roadways.”
In addition to Rep. Goodman, MADD recognizes a number of Washington lawmakers for their efforts in sponsoring and supporting H.B. 3254, including Rep. Pat Lantz (D – Gig Harbor), who was an invaluable champion.
An alcohol ignition interlock is a breath test device linked to a vehicle’s ignition system 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.
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. The devices have the potential to save more than 4,000 lives now lost in repeat drunk driving crashes annually.
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. 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. With the passage of H.B. 3254, these drunk drivers will be required to install an ignition interlock on their vehicle, preventing them from driving drunk and making local roadways safer for Washington families.
“Washington lawmakers have taken a critical step forward towards preventing drunk driving deaths using alcohol ignition interlocks,” said Glynn Birch, National President of MADD. “Washington is now one step closer to eliminating drunk driving on local roadways.”
About MADD
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.
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