TRENTON, NJ (Oct. 27, 2008) – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) today joined New Jersey State Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Northfield) and Assemblyman Eric Munoz, M.D. (R-Summit) in support of lifesaving legislation, S 1926 and companion bill A 3073, that would require all convicted drunk drivers to install alcohol ignition interlocks in their vehicle. The bill – “Ricci’s Law” – is named for Ricci Branca, a 17-year-old killed by a drunk driver in a hit-and-run in 2006. Sen. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) is a co-sponsor of the Senate legislation and the date for Senate Law and Public Safety to hear S 1926 is expected soon.

A companion bill, Assembly bill 3073 was heard by the Law and Public Safety Committee in the Assembly this week and was introduced by primary bill sponsors Eric Munoz, (R-Summit), Nelson Albano (D-Cumberland), Patrick Diegnan, Jr. (D-South Plainfield), and the Chair of the Law and Public Safety Committee in the Assembly, Gordon Johnson (D-Englewood).

“There are 19,841 drivers in New Jersey with three of more drunk driving convictions and 1,681 of those have five or more convictions—ignition interlocks can stop this travesty,” said Laura Dean-Mooney, MADD national president. “We thank New Jersey leaders for taking a stand to eliminate drunk driving on behalf of its citizens.”

Sen. Whelan said, “Drunk driving has some of the highest recidivism rates of any serious motor vehicle violation. In 2006 alone, 224 New Jerseyans were killed by drunk drivers, many of whom had previous violations on record. We need to take advantage of the available technology to reduce recidivism and keep habitual drunk drivers off our roads.”

On July 14, 2006, Ricci Branca was riding his bike with friends in Egg Harbor Township when Stephen French struck three of the bicyclists. Branca died four days later. French, previously convicted of drunk driving, drank ten glasses of wine at a local bar shortly before the crash. His blood alcohol content (BAC) was .339 – more than four times New Jersey’s legal limit. French plead guilty to a number of charges including DWI, and was sentenced to 16 years in prison last year.

Currently, New Jersey law provides those convicted of two or more DUIs with the option to install an interlock in their vehicle. While judges have the option to require interlocks for convicted drunk drivers facing their first or second conviction, they frequently do not. Nationally, it is estimated that only one out of eight convicted drunk drivers each year has an interlock installed on their vehicle.

“Ignition interlock is a simple device which, simply put, will save lives,” said Senator Adler. “If you’ve had too much to drink, you don’t belong behind the wheel. By implementing a responsible ignition interlock law, New Jersey will go a long way to save many families like the Brancas from tragedy.”

"As a society, we must do all that we can to decrease the number of injuries that result from drunk driving crashes. I believe that the passage of Ricci’s Law will create a deterrent that will ultimately save lives. As a Trauma Surgeon, I have treated too many serious and fatal injuries that are a direct result of drunk driving and so, as a legislator, I am privileged to sponsor this bill in the Assembly,” said Assemblyman Munoz.

Alcohol ignition interlocks are a breath test device linked to a vehicle’s ignition system. Interlocks are used as a condition of probation for convicted drunk drivers 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 if the driver has alcohol in his or her system.

MADD believes the tools are now at hand to eliminate drunk driving from the United States. The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving calls for intensive, high-visibility law enforcement and full implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Currently, eight states require and/or highly incentivize interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

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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.