Wisconsin Progress Still Behind the Times

The Wall Street Journal reported today that while Wisconsin legislators are making efforts to deal with the state's anemic drunk driving laws, their progress is still well behind the rest of the states.

Wisconsin is currently the only state that treats a first offense DUI as a traffic citation, which means no real penalties are assessed until an offender happens to get busted twice. They also are one of only 10 states that do not allow sobriety checkpoints, a law enforcement tool proven to reduce fatalities by 20 percent.

Legislators are embracing ignition interlocks for all offenders. But until Wisconsin decides to make drunk driving a crime the first time, these solutions won't have the lifesaving effect experience by other states like New Mexico.

Washington State Driver Accused of DUI Hits 7 Cars in 13 Minutes

According to an article in the Seattle Post Intelligencer, a Spokane, Washington man hit at least seven cars within 13 minutes, including one driven by an off-duty detective, before he was arrested for drunk driving.

Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving and support MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which aims to end drunk driving completely through:

• High-visibility law enforcement, including sobriety checkpoints
• Ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers
• Advanced vehicle technologies to prevent drunk driving
• Public support – led by MADD and concerned citizens nationwide

Two Officers Hit at Sobriety Checkpoint, Driver Charged with DUI

Meriden, Connecticut police say two officers were hit by a vehicle early Saturday morning at a sobriety checkpoint. The driver of the vehicle was charged with DWI, among other things. Read the complete story from WTIC, Hartford.

MADD supports law enforcement agencies nationwide in their efforts to reduce drunk driving fatalities and injuries, including their use of high-visibility crackdowns during holidays and sobriety checkpoints, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control, can reduce alcohol-related crashes and fatalities by 20 percent.

You can honor law enforcement officers killed or injured by alcohol-impaired drivers or while enforcing drunk driving laws and/or underage drinking laws online at the MADD Officer Victim Tribute.

Newlyweds Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver with Previous DWIs

A crash in Dallas over Labor Day weekend, caused by a suspected repeat drunk driving offender, killed a young married couple and injured an SUV full of SMU students. Read the complete story from The Dallas Morning News.

MADD supports ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. In the coming legislative session, MADD will urge lawmakers to implement sobriety checkpoints in Texas – one of only ten states that prohibits their use.