MADD Calls on New Jersey Lawmakers to Advance Lifesaving Legislation
Action needed as drunk driving deaths on the rise since 2009 in New Jersey
12/17/2012
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Trenton, NJ – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is calling on New Jersey lawmakers to advance key legislation to stop drunk driving. Senate Bill 1750, authored by Senator Scutari and pending in Senate Judiciary Committee, requires the use of ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.
“MADD urges the legislature to advance this lifesaving legislation because requiring convicted drunk drivers to use ignition interlocks has been proven to save lives and prevent drunk driving,” said Jan Withers, MADD National President.
The call for action occurs after the latest figures came out last week showing an increase in drunk driving deaths in New Jersey. The state’s drunk driving deaths have increased from 152 in 2009 to 193 in 2011. In contrast, nationwide, drunk driving deaths have decreased by seven percent (from 10,759 to 9,878).
In New Jersey, as a result of Ricci’s Law of 2010, ignition interlocks are currently required for repeat and first-time offenders with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .15 or greater. Currently, 17 states require interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Ignition interlocks are critical to eliminating drunk driving, as a majority of convicted drunk drivers will continue to drive on a suspended license.
States that are enforcing all-offender ignition interlock laws, such as Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico and Louisiana have cut DUI deaths by over 30 percent, largely due to comprehensive interlock laws requiring all drunk drivers receive the device.
“Lawmakers have an excellent opportunity to stop drunk driving and put in action effective countermeasures that will help reverse the trend of increasing drunk driving fatalities,” said survivor of a crash caused by a drunk driver, MADD New Jersey volunteer and National Board Member Steven Benvenisti, Esq. “MADD supports the use of ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers for a period of at least six months. With New Jersey’s spike in DUI deaths, lawmakers should follow the lead of the 17 states that have enacted this lifesaving legislation.”
Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) came out in support of requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. The NTSB’s recommendations follow the July 2012 enactment of Surface Transportation Reauthorization legislation, known as MAP–21, which includes a number of drunk driving reforms, including providing incentive grants to states that adopt all-offender ignition interlock laws.
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end this danger on America’s roads. PowerTalk 21® is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of Power of Parents® to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every eight minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. Learn more at www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.
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