December 12, 2009
Increasing the Alcohol Tax to Include Treatment
http://www.wbaltv.com/news/22216318/detail.html

December 9, 2009 Annapolis Maryland
Maryland Remembers
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2009/12/10-53/Maryland-remembers-victims-of-drunk-driving.html

Lawmakers: Toughen drunken driving laws
Business Gazette
by Marcus Moore | Staff Writer
Caroline Cash, a spokeswoman for Maryland Mothers Against Drunk Driving, demonstrates an ignition interlock, which prevents ...

December 8 2009
Drunken-driving fatalities decline in Maryland
State's 12.5% decrease puts it among top 10; nationwide drop was 7% in 2008
By Michael Dresser
Deaths from drunken driving fell in Maryland last year, exceeding a nationwide trend and placing the state among the 10 with the lowest rate of fatalities.
The complete article can be viewed at:http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/commuting/bal-md.cm.drunk08dec08,0,2919533.story

Md. lobbyist with seven DUIs ordered freed

By Maria Glod and Jonathan Mummolo

A Maryland lobbyist with seven drunken-driving convictions who has represented the Prince George's County Council and Sheriff's Department was ordered released Wednesday after 36 days in jail.

FREDERICK NEWS POST-Laura's Legacy- the Road to MADD, November 8th, 2009

Please see this amazingly in-depth series of articles celebrating MADD's upcoming 30th anniversary.  It includes interviews with MADD co-founder and MD resident Cindi Lamb as well as the rescuers on the scene of the crash that day and it also covers that work of MADD over the 30 years.

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/roadtomadd/index.htm

November 1st, Baltimore Sun, Groups press for tougher drunk driving laws
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-md.laws01nov01,0,3266538.story 

October 26th, Editorial, Baltimore Sun, Ignition Interlocks
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bal-ed.ignition26oct26,0,7505939.story 

Upcoming editorial: Time to lock out drunk drivingBaltimore Sun, October 23, 2009
But there's one strategy legislators could pursue that could prove more effective than any of them: Mandating ignition interlock devices. ...

OCTOBER 21st, Editorial, New York Times, Progress on Drunken Driving
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/opinion/22thu3.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

September 24th, Dedicated Checkpoint for Amanda Moore
http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/drunken-driving-checkpoint-yields-9-dui-arrests-thursday-1.556296

September 24th, News Channel 2 report on repeat offenders
5 DUI Arrests Don't Keep Maryland Man Off the Road

MADD Maryland's Response to Changes in DUI Laws taking effect October 1

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                              

DESPITE NEW DUI LAWS EFFECTIVE OCT 1st MARYLAND MOTORISTS REMAIN AT RISK FROM DRUNK DRIVERS --  MODEST NEW DUI LAWS HELPFUL BUT NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO PROTECT MARYLAND CITIZENS FROM DRUNK DRIVERS

MADD MARYLAND CALLS ON THE GOVERNOR AND STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT MANDATORY IGNITION INTERLOCKS AND IMPLEMENT ALL OF THE GOVERNORS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS.

Ignoring a series of major life-saving recommendations from Governor OMalleys Impaired Driving Task Force, the Maryland legislature only enacted four helpful, but minor, changes to our anti-drunk driving laws.  This despite the fact that last year in Maryland, alcohol was a factor in 28% of traffic deaths, killing 152 men, women and children.  Over 24,000 drunk drivers are arrested each year..  

The new anti-DUI laws which become effective October 1st require the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to now impose a one-year drivers license suspension on a person convicted of either DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while impaired) more than once in a five-year period. The law allows the MVA to issue restricted licenses for the suspension period if the person participates in the Ignition Interlock System Program (IISP).The restricted driving permit is only applicable for trips to and from work, school or to drug/alcohol treatment. The new legislation also allows the courts to look back ten years for any prior alcohol related traffic offenses before considering probation options and penalties. Anyone caught drinking and driving with an alcohol restriction on their license will be subject to a $500 fine and two months in jail.

MADD Maryland asks the Governor and state legislature to adopt three key measures in 2010:

1.   MANDATORY IGNITION INTERLOCK S for ALL convicted drunk drivers

Ignition Interlock devices should be mandatory for all convicted drunk drivers including those given Probation before Judgment (PBJ)

2.   Use and Lose laws pertaining to underage drinking

      Loss of driving privileges for those caught drinking under the age of 21

3.   Create oversight committee to ensure the progress of the 42 task force recommendations made.          

# # #

Founded in 1980 and now on the cusp of its 30^th anniversary, MADD has evolved into one of the most widely supported and well respected non-profit organizations in America. Its mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and to prevent underage drinking.

September 21, 2009

CHANGES IN DUI LAWS GO INTO EFFECT NEXT WEEK

Please see link for full story:
http://wbal.com/apps/news/templates/story.aspx?articleid=36007&zoneid=3 

April 14, 2009

MARYLAND ANTI-DUI GROUPS BEMOAN

OUTCOME IN ANNAP OLIS THIS YEAR

DESPITE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS, MOST DRUNK

DRIVING BILLS EITHER FAIL OR GET WEAKENED

Annapolis , MD , April 14 Despite the legislative recommendations made by a statewide DUI Task Force created by Maryland lawmakers, as well as these same recommendations comprising bills introduced by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley (D), the overwhelming majority of anti-drunk driving legislation failed in Annapolis this year leaving traffic safety advocates shaking their heads.