Drink, drive, arrest, repeat

In Minnesota, 46,748 drivers have at least 4 DWI arrests. They form a dangerous group that's hard to treat or punish. Danny Lee Bettcher was back in an Otter Tail County courtroom this month, again for driving drunk. This time, he was facing his 27th DWI conviction -- a Minnesota record.

7 Year Old Boy Victim of Ticket-Fixing Fiasco

Last month, we talked about the current investigation going on in Johnston County, North Carolina where six officers of the court have been accused of tampering with court documents to secure illegal dismissals for drunken drivers.

The real consequences of those actions are coming to light this week as the trial begins for a 31- year old man who killed 7-year old Marcus Lassiter in an apparent drunk driving crash. The man had charged with DUI four times prior to the crash.

Two of the charges were dismissed, one was reduced, and the fourth was pending. The defense attorney in both dismissed DWI cases was Lee Hatch, and the prosecutor in one was Cyndi Jaeger. They are among six people who have been charged in the Johnston County ticket-fixing case.

And now, they have poor Marcus Lassiter's blood on their hands.

Man arrested for DWI hours after DWI sentencing

In Texas, a man was arrested for a DWI just hours after he was sentenced for his first DWI. No shock there. Texas is one of the worst states in the country for drunk driving.

The Texas legislature is currently considering legislation that would require ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers. Opponents (namely the American Beverage Institute, a trade association for America's restaurant industry) argue that the penalty is too stiff for first time offenders and that legislators instead should focus on "hard-core drunk drivers." Yet, studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 64 percent effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses.

In this case, a first-time offender became a repeat offender in a matter of hours. So are ignition interlocks "too harsh" or just plain common sense?

Drunk Driver Sends Indiana State Trooper to the Hospital

According to WFIE.com in Evansville, Indiana, a state trooper is recovering from injuries after Indiana State Police officials said he was hit by a drunk driver.

MADD supports law enforcement agencies nationwide in their efforts to reduce drunk driving fatalities and injuries. Unfortunately, we know too well the dangers associated with this enforcement. Visit the Officer Victim Tribute to honor those law enforcement officers killed or injured by alcohol-impaired drivers or while enforcing drunk driving laws and/or underage drinking laws.

Connecticut Driver Faces Two DUI Charges in 18 Hours

According to an article in the Connecticut Post, a 69-year-old man was arrested on drunk driving charges twice within an eighteen hour period. The first time he was charged with driving under the influence, his blood-alcohol level was two times the legal limit of 0.08. The next time he was charged with DUI, his blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit.

Research shows that those convicted of drunk driving for the first time have driven drunk more than 87 times before their first arrest.

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

12-Time Convicted Drunk Driver Arrested in Michigan

A Michigan man who has been convicted of drunk driving a dozen times is now facing a 13th drunk driving charge after getting arrested in Cadillac. Read the complete story from 9&10News.com.

New government data compiled from states illustrate an alarming trend: nationally, an estimated two million three-time or more and 400,000 five-time or more drunk driving offenders are sharing our roadways at any given time.

The newly released state progress report for MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving highlights the need for comprehensive alcohol ignition interlock laws in all states.

Driver Arrested in Fatal Indianapolis Crash Had 4 Previous DUIs

According to an article in The Indianapolis Star, an Indiana man convicted four times on drunk driving charges was arrested again this week, after police say his blood-alcohol level was 0.11 after he slammed into the car of a 70-year-old woman, killing her.

People continue to drive drunk because they can. Studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 64 percent effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses. Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

Three Young Lives Cut Abruptly Short in Illinois, in a Crash Caused by an Accused Repeat Drunk Driver

Amanda Jahn, 27, and her children Ryan, 3, and Kaitlyn, 11 months were laid to rest Tuesday, following a crash caused by a suspected repeat drunk driver. The accused offender was charged with four counts of aggravated driving under the influence and ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail. Read the complete story from the Chicago Tribune.

Beginning in January 2009, alcohol ignition interlocks will be mandatory for all convicted drunk drivers in the state of Illinois, one of only eight states that require or highly incentivize interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders.

Help us reduce the number of drunk driving fatalities where you live – and nationwide. Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

After Surviving a Severe Crash Caused by a Repeat DUI Offender, a California Law Enforcement Family Fights to Prevent Future Victims of Drunk Driving

When Jennifer Robi was 12 and a half, she and her family never imagined she would be addressing student audiences about drunk driving and underage drinking 18 months later. But when a drunk driver with three prior DUI convictions severely injured Jennifer and her mother, Kath, on April 27, 2007, the family’s lives changed forever. In the past three months Jennifer has talked to 800 students about drunk driving, using a presentation she created. She’s also been asked to speak to first-time offenders and college criminal justice students.

Read Jennifer's inspirational story of courage and survival in the wake of devastating injuries from a drunk driving crash.

Washington State Man Jailed After 14th DUI Arrest

According to a story in The Seattle Times, a man is being held in jail in Mount Vernon, Wash., after being arrested for the 14th time for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

People continue to drive drunk because they can. Studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 64 percent effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses. Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

Texas Man Gets Life Sentence for 10th DWI

A Texas man with nine previous drunken driving convictions was sentenced to life in prison. Read the complete story from KTVT.

The goal of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving is to end drunk driving permanently through:
1) High-visibility law enforcement, including sobriety checkpoints
2) Ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers
3) Advanced vehicle technologies that will prevent drunk driving
4) Public support

Massachusetts Man Arrested for Drunk Driving for 15th Time

A South Yarmouth man arrested for drunk driving had 14 prior OUI arrests and 9 prior convictions. Read the complete story from WBZ TV.

Contact your lawmakers about mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers.

Driver in Fatal Wisconsin Crash Had Six Prior DUI Arrests

Police said alcohol was a factor for both drivers involved in a crash that left one person dead in Wisconsin and that one driver had six prior DUI arrests. Read the complete story from WISN.

Studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 65 percent effective in keeping convicted drunk drivers from recommitting the crime, as long as the ignition interlock is installed on the vehicle. Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

West Virginia Man Arrested on 12th DUI Charge

State police have arrested a man accused of drunk driving for at least the twelfth time. Read the complete story from WOWK.

Contact your lawmakers about mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers.

Accused Drunk Driver Who Hit a Mother and Her Triplets Arrested for Suspicion of DUI Again

The driver who ran into a Tennessee mother and her triplets a few weeks ago was recently arrested again on suspicion of driving under the influence, police said. Read the complete story from WSMV.

Studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 65 percent effective in keeping convicted drunk drivers from recommitting the crime, as long as the ignition interlock is installed on the vehicle. Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

Woman Arrested for 13th DUI in Wisconsin

An Illinois woman was arrested by Wisconsin police for her 13th drunk driving offense.
Read the complete story from The Racine Journal Times.

Contact your lawmakers about mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers.

Illinois Man Arrested 13th Time for Drunk Driving

A 46-year-old Illinois man was arrested on charges of driving under the influence for the 13th time, according to reports. Read the complete story from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Contact your lawmakers about mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers.

Mother Who Killed Baby While Drunk Driving Sentenced to Prison in 2nd DUI

An Illinois woman who pleaded guilty to killing her 11-month-old daughter in a 2002 drunk driving crash was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for driving drunk in DuPage County last year. Read the complete story from the Chicago Tribune.

New York Man Arrested For Drunk Driving Twice in One Hour

Authorities say they arrested an upstate New York man twice in less than an hour for driving drunk.

Read the complete story from the Albany Times Union.

Wisconsin Man Arrested for Drunk Driving Twice in Two Hours

A Sheboygan man is behind bars after being arrested twice for drunken driving within two hours early Tuesday.

Read the complete story from FoxNews.com.