Washington Post: “Virginia’s chance to improve safety by locking out drunk drivers.”
By MADD | February 11, 2012 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

Recently, The Washington Post ran an article online about the value and impact of ignition interlock devices, and how “state legislatures around the country are taking tough steps to make life even more difficult for those who would drink and drive.  Key among the new measures are laws requiring the installation of in-car breathalyzers for all motorists convicted of drunken driving.”

The article states, “Around the country, ignition interlocks have reduced highway deaths when they are mandatory for offenders who drove with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more. They have been less effective in states like Virginia, where they are required only for offenders convicted with BACs nearly twice as high — a level at which most people could hardly stand, let alone drive. The legislation now before the state Senate would set the bar in Virginia at the tougher .08 level for all drivers.”  

As you know, ignition interlock devices are a key component of the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®, and you can help get new lifesaving legislation passed by emailing your member of Congress to ask them to contact House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica about keeping the interlock incentive grant in the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act.

Read the full Washington Post article: “Virginia’s chance to improve safety by locking out drunk drivers.”

Tallahassee, Florida Legislative Session
By Jan Withers | February 10, 2012 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

I recently traveled to Tallahassee, Florida to talk with legislators and testify in support of their interlock bill.   I was so uplifted by our MADD family during the visit that I came home energized.

I want to tell you about Frank Harris, MADD’s State Legislative Affairs Manager.   He organized the entire day, setting up the appointments and directing us to whomever we needed to speak.  When I am around him I am in awe, because not only is he is laser focused on the tasks at hand, he passionately believes in the effectiveness of interlocks for saving lives.  The amazing thing about Frank is that he does this for every MADD state affiliate working to pass interlock legislation for all convicted drunk drivers. 

I want to tell you about Jerry Fifer.   He was severely injured by a drunk driver in 2000.  Seventeen surgeries later he still struggles with pain in his body.   He joined us as we met with Florida legislators.  I watched him quietly try to suppress his pain as he climbed the stairs and tirelessly walked the halls of the Capitol.   In the last 12 years he has devoted his life and even his career to ending this violent crime.  His courage and perseverance is inspiring.  On top of that, he maintains a wicked sense of humor and kept all of us smiling as we dealt with our fatigue. 

Connie Russell, Jerry Fifer, Kristen Allen, Frank Harris

I want to tell you about Matt’s mom, Connie Russell.  Matthew Beard was her only child.  He was killed by a drunk driver 5 years ago.  Matthew loved scuba diving and was majoring in marine biology at FSU.   Since that time she takes Matthew’s story to groups everywhere – to students at FSU, to offenders attending victim impact panels, to Florida’s legislators, and to other groups who invite her to speak.   Talk about passion!   She has dedicated herself to spreading the message that the outcome of drunk driving can be a horror no one wants to endure.  She is persistent in her quest to erase drunk driving.  I could truly see Matt’s light shining through her as we spent the day together. 

I want to tell you about Kristen Allen, MADD Florida’s Victim Services Manager.  I can’t help but smile each time I think of her.  She is one of the kindest individuals I have ever met.  She always just quietly does what she thinks needs to be done – which is consistently going the extra mile.  As a victim advocate, she is supreme.  As a friend, one can have no better.  Legislators and their staff listened as she spoke, because she shared powerful stories of people she had supported.

I want to tell you about Dr. Richard Roth.  He has dedicated the past few years following his retirement as a physics professor to researching the effects of ignition interlocks.  He volunteers his personal time to educate legislators around the country on the benefits of interlocks for all convicted offenders.  His wealth of knowledge along with Jerry’s and Connie’s personal stories had a one-two punch on the listener.

I want to tell you about Florida State University Police Department.  Following our day with the legislators, Major Jim Russell, Deputy Chief of FSUPD, invited us to visit with the officers.   They are committed in their work to protect us from drunk drivers.  Spending time with them was an uplifting conclusion to an already enriching day.  Major Russell and Connie happened to fall in love when working together after Matt’s death.  They are now married! 

Jerry Fifer, Connie Russell, Maj. Russell, Jan Withers, Dr. Roth	Florida State University Police Department

These folks are relentless in their pursuit of a future where drunk driving is a footnote in our history books.  Their dedication is clear – they will not stop until that goal is obtained. 

We will not stop.  We will never give up.  We come together with one goal.  We walk arm-in-arm to eliminate drunk driving.  Together we will win.

In two minutes you can make the roads safer
By MADD | February 9, 2012 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

Last week, legislation was introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives to provide financial incentives to states that require all convicted drunk drivers to use an ignition interlock device.  As you know, ignition interlocks are a key component of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®. 

As a MADD supporter, we need your help.  Please click here to contact your member of Congress and ask them to tell Chairman John Mica they support his efforts on ignition interlocks.

The debate about the effectiveness of ignition interlocks is over.  Fifteen peer-reviewed studies show interlocks significantly reduce DUI recidivism.  The Centers for Disease Control has reviewed this research and recommends that all drunk drivers be required to use these devices.  Emailing your member of Congress will only take a few minutes.

By including ignition interlock incentive grants as part of the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, Congress will send a clear message that all drunk drivers deserve an interlock, and the incentives provided in the bill will encourage more states to do just that.

Take your best shot at preventing teen drinking
By MADD | February 8, 2012 | Filed in: Underage Drinking

Underage drinking is not cool, and we are counting on the teens across America to prove that through our Power of You(th) video contest.

MADD is asking teens to take a stand and create a short video to encourage their peers to avoid drinking alcohol and never get in a car with someone who's been drinking.  The top five finalists will each win a new iPad and a spot in our National Teen Influencer Group made up of teens from across the nation interested in helping tackle this problem.

Teens:  You have the power to influence your friends and make an impact in your school, home and community. The Power of You(th) is the power you hold to save some of the 6,000 lives that are lost each year because of underage drinking.

Deadline to enter is April 27, 2012. Go to www.madd.org/powerofyouth to learn more.

Please help MADD, along with presenting sponsor State Farm Insurance, spread the word about this opportunity for teens to get involved in making a difference and possibly even help save the lives of their peers.

Play the Most Important Position in the NFL this Super Bowl Sunday
By MADD | February 2, 2012 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

This Super Bowl Sunday will mark the end of the 2011 record-setting NFL season. That’s right, in 2011, 220,000 fans signed up to be designated drivers—a nearly 30 percent increase from 2010 and a new League record. 

Nine NFL teams (the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders) partnered with MADD to make sure that fans include a safe ride home in their game plan with a game-day designated driver program throughout the season.

The program enhanced the teams’ existing designated driver programs with a pre-game MADD presence in stadium parking lots, distribution of information cards throughout the stadiums, and an audio PSA urging fans to “sign up to play the most important position in the NFL: the designated driver.”   (Read the full press release. )

With Super Bowl Sunday being one of the deadliest times on America’s roadways, we hope that the designated driver trend will continue this weekend. If you want to be a champion host this Sunday, use these tips to help throw a party that sails into the end zone. But, no matter how you celebrate or who you cheer for, don’t ruin the day by getting a DUI, or much worse. If you're going to drink alcohol, remember to plan ahead and designate a sober driver to help get everyone home safe after the game.