MADD Reminds Adults to Designate a Non-Drinking Driver for the Road and Water this Fourth of July


Dallas, TX (PRWEB) June 27, 2013

As families and buddies make plans to celebrate the Fourth of July, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is reminding adults to plan ahead for a non-drinking designated driver regardless of whether on the road or on the water if alcohol will be a portion of the festivities. According to the National Highway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA), 161 men and women have been killed in drunk driving crashes nationwide over Fourth of July weekend in 2011 (the most current year for which there is information), which represents a 70 % boost over the average number of drunk driving deaths per day.

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In addition to the dangers posed by drunk driving on roadways, the United States Coast Guard reports that alcohol use was the top contributing element in boating fatalities final year in reality, it was the top element in 17 % of boating deaths.

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“We want to make a point of arranging ahead for a non-drinking designated driver on the Fourth of July and year-round,” stated MADD National President Jan Withers. “Whether youre in a auto or on a boat, the dangers of drinking and driving are the same needless deaths and injuries.”

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MADDs Campaign to Remove Drunk Driving includes help for higher-visibility law enforcement efforts, and as portion of the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled More than” crackdown around the Fourth of July, law enforcement agencies across the nation will be intensifying their efforts to deter and detect drunk driving.

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For far more information about MADDs Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, pay a visit to http://www.madd.org/campaign.

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About Mothers Against Drunk Driving

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Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

MADD Applauds Maine on the Passage of Lifesaving Legislation

Augusta, ME (PRWEB) July 02, 2013

Maine Governor Paul LaPage signed into law lifesaving legislation which hugely incentivizes the use of ignition interlocks for all initial-time convicted drunk drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater to help prevent future offenses. With the passage of this law, Maine joins a lengthy list of 19 other states to pass all offender ignition interlock legislation, bringing the total number of men and women now protected from repeat drunk driving offenders to higher than 115 million.

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As part of the Maine legislature, I make every work to boost the security of our residents, my neighbors. I am proud to have been instrumental in the passage of the Ignition Interlock Law and want to thank Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their commitment to eliminate drunk driving and end this one hundred % preventable crime, mentioned Representative Bob Nutting. With this legislation we are generating safer roads across Maine. My hope is that we will soon see a time when drinking and driving are a point of the past, Nutting continued.

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Starting December 1, 2013, when the new law goes into effect, a very first-time offender can either decide on a six-month license suspension with no driving privileges or a 30-day license suspension followed by 150 days on an ignition interlock. This is a wonderful day for the folks of Maine, who are now safer on their roadways, said MADD National President Jan Withers. In addition, we are now 1 state closer to the passage of legislation in each and every state requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

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AAA supports the use of ignition interlock devices for very first-time offenders, as they are an powerful alternative for ensuring alcohol consumption doesnt mix with driving. AAA Northern New England commends the Maine legislature for their passage of this bill and their commitment to the security of Maine roadway users. Requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted offenders has established to be a lot more powerful than other DUI sanctions and can lessen alcohol-impaired driving crashes and save lives, stated Pat Moody, AAA Northern New England.

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Ignition interlocks are leased by the convicted drunk drivers, with an typical every day expense of $ 2.50. Under LD 1260, if an offender cannot afford an ignition interlock, the device is offered at a less costly cost. An OUI offender applying for an interlock have to also pay a $ 50 administrative fee to the state.

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The use of ignition interlocks is a huge step forward in our goal to finish drunk driving on Maines roads. These devices have the power to save lives and aid offenders at the exact same time, added Nutting. Convicted drunk drivers who have an interlock can preserve their jobs, keep going to college, and at the exact same time, maintain the public safe.

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Research show that a 1st-time convicted drunk driver is not a 1st-time offender, but rather it is simply the 1st time they have been caught. In reality, initial-time offenders have driven drunk an typical of 80 instances before they are convicted.

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The passage of ignition interlock laws is a important element of MADDs Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving