MADD Praises the Senate Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill
Key Safety Provisions Provide Monumental Boost for MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving
03/14/2012
Contact Information
Anna Duerr, MADD
469-420-4503
anna.duerr@madd.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) praised the U.S. Senate for passing Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP-21, which includes the ROADS SAFE Act — introduced by Senators Tom Udall and Bob Corker. As included in MAP-21, the provision would authorize $12 million a year, over two years, for research of in-vehicle advanced technologies that could seamlessly and passively detect a drunk driver.
The research program, known as the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety, or DADSS, is a joint effort between the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety, comprised of the world’s leading auto manufacturers, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of drunk driving victims, we would like to thank Chairmen Rockefeller and Boxer, and Senators Udall, Corker, Hutchison, Lautenberg, Pryor, Vitter, Klobuchar, Schumer and Murray for their leadership to eliminate drunk driving,” said MADD National President Jan Withers. “The safety provisions included in MAP-21 could truly set in motion the elimination of drunk driving and save tens of thousands of lives each year,” Withers added.
MAP-21 also includes much-needed updates to our nation’s highway safety programs. Chief among these is a new incentive grant program to encourage states to adopt all-offender ignition interlock programs. In Oregon and Arizona, these laws have reduced drunk driving fatalities by more than 50 percent.
Last week, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issued a report proving that these laws save lives and recommended they be adopted by every state. MAP-21 offers financial incentives to states that pass these lifesaving laws. Just last week, Virginia became the 16th state to require interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers when Governor McDonnell signed the legislation into law. “The time for debate on the effectiveness of ignition interlock is over. Research unequivocally proves that every drunk driver should receive an ignition interlock device to save lives,” said Withers.
MAP-21 also continues funding for the annual high-visibility crackdown efforts known as Click it or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Additionally, the legislation establishes mechanisms to assure that state traffic safety programs supported with Federal funding are more effective in addressing the most critical safety needs.
“MAP-21 represents an historic opportunity to advance highway safety in America,” said Withers. “MADD calls on the House to pass similar legislation that could truly eliminate drunk driving.”
For more information about MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, visit www.madd.org/campaign.
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, It’s Your Influence™ 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 nine 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.
# # #
