HARRISBURG, Pa.(October 7, 2008) –Today, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Rep. Paul Clymer (R- Bucks County) join together to urge the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to consider H.B. 2019, legislation that would require the installation of alcohol ignition interlocks for any convicted drunk driver.

“In 2006, nearly 30,000 people in Pennsylvania were arrested for drunk driving,” said Laura Dean-Mooney, MADD’s national president. “We have a solution for this epidemic, but we need citizens to speak up and urge their state legislators to pass mandatory interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. We can no longer sit by while our families are needlessly injured and killed.”

"House Bill 2019, commonly referred to as 'Brad's Bill,' has the potential to save lives and avert serious bodily injury by installing the ignition interlock system on first-time DUI offenders," said Rep. Clymer.

The legislation is named for 14-year-old Bradley Vassallo, whose persuasive essay on ignition interlocks spurred Rep. Clymer to sponsor the bill. "Helping others has always been my mission in life,” said Brad. “I believe House Bill 2019 will make drivers aware of the serious consequences of driving while intoxicated." The bill also has the support of Hollywood Olson, a 12-year-old victim survivor who is a vocal activist for the use of alcohol ignition interlocks to save lives.

“H.B. 2019 is an essential ingredient to eliminating drunk driving in the state of Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Bryce Templeton, a MADD National Board member whose son was killed in a drunk driving crash. “We encourage the House members to put an emphasis on passing this bill during the last few days of this 2008 session. There is no reason for the state to give convicted drunk drivers another year to endanger the lives of the innocent on Pennsylvania’s roadways.”

Alcohol ignition interlocks are a breath test device linked to a vehicle’s ignition system. Research shows ignition interlocks are proven to reduce drunk driving recidivism by, on average, 64 percent. While this bill would ensure that Pennsylvania’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 Pennsylvania taxpayers.

In another effort to combat drunk driving, Philadelphia will be hosting Walk Like MADD, a 5K non-competitive family walk that raises funds for Pennsylvania to support MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. Anyone can Walk Like MADD, become a virtual walker online, or make a charitable donation to support MADD’s mission. Log on to www.walklikemadd.org or call 610-825-4902.

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MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving 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.