| Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has today | | | | 13,613 in 2005 to 13,990 in 2006, representing |
| announced significant state legislative victories in | | | | almost a 3 percent increase. At the same time, |
| Arizona and Illinois that mandate alcohol ignition | | | | overall traffic fatalities were down slightly by 0.3 |
| interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, moving | | | | percent. |
| one step closer to its goal of a drunk-driving free | | | | The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving's four |
| America. The legislative progress is part of a bold | | | | elements include full implementation of alcohol |
| new offensive in MADD's Campaign to Eliminate | | | | ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, |
| Drunk Driving, launched in November 2006. | | | | intensive high-visibility law enforcement, |
| "Our vision of eliminating drunk driving is one step | | | | development of advanced vehicle technologies to |
| closer to becoming a reality," said MADD National | | | | prevent drunk driving and grassroots support led |
| President Glynn Birch. "As part of MADD's | | | | by MADD and its 400+ affiliates. |
| Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, we will | | | | "It's clear that more of the same will not help in |
| continue to work nationwide until every state | | | | the fight to make our roads safer," Birch said. |
| does what Arizona and Illinois have done." | | | | "We still have states without the most effective |
| MADD is likewise calling for congressional hearings | | | | tools in place to deter and stop drunk driving -- |
| to create a comprehensive strategy built upon | | | | sobriety checkpoints and ignition interlocks. These |
| solutions proven to work. MADD's National Board | | | | tools stop higher-risk offenders and first-time |
| of Directors met recently with members of | | | | drunk drivers. There is no justification for not |
| Congress to champion the Campaign to Eliminate | | | | using the tools we know will save lives and |
| Drunk Driving and lobby for increased focus on | | | | prevent injuries." |
| the issue of drunk driving. | | | | Last year, nearly 14,000 people were killed by |
| The need for the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk | | | | drunk drivers with an illegal BAC of .08 or above |
| Driving has been underscored by a recent federal | | | | and countless others were injured. This |
| report showing that drunk driving deaths are at | | | | represents more than 1,000 families every month |
| their highest point since 1992, according to | | | | that must live with the tragic consequences of |
| preliminary figures. | | | | drunk driving. |
| According to the National Highway Traffic Safety | | | | That's right. Brand new Honda headlights won't |
| Administration, fatalities involving a driver with a | | | | really make any difference if you're driving drunk. |
| .08 blood alcohol content or higher rose from | | | | |