December 31, 2008

Illinois To Get One Of Nation's Toughest DUI Laws

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- On New Year's Day a tough new Illinois DUI law goes into effect that will force even a first-time offender to prove he's sober before his car will start.This ignition locking system for first-time offenders had been imposed only on repeat offenders who have to prove they're not drinking by blowing into a Breathalyzer device.What about attempts to outsmart the system - like the suburban man who kept an oxygen tank in his car?

December 29, 2008

River Falls Wisconsin Man Caught Driving Drunk Again After 7 Prior Arrests

The River Falls Journal reports that a 42-year-old suspect allegedly crashed his truck off the Hwy. 65/35 bypass into a ditch. He fled the scene of the crash and was found hiding under a tree in someone’s backyard by police. Police arrested him, making it his eighth arrest for drunk driving.

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.

Don't forget to sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin!

December 26, 2008

Christmas Night Tragedy in Houston

A husband and wife were killed by a suspected drunk driver in Houston on Christmas night. Alcohol is involved in almost 45 percent of all crashes in Harris County. Texans can take steps to prevent tragedies like these in the upcoming legislative session by supporting MADD's efforts to eliminate drunk driving:

Others can get involved in eliminating driving in their community as well:

December 22, 2008

Wisconsin Man Faces 7th DUI After Girl Falls From Truck

A Madison man has been arrested on tentative charges of seventh-offense drunken driving after a 13-year-old girl fell out of the passenger door of his pickup truck. Read the story on MSNBC.com.
  • In 2007, 313 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Wisconsin.

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.

Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin.

December 19, 2008

Montana Man Guilty of 9th DUI

The Great Falls Tribune reported that a man pleaded guilty to his ninth DUI on Wednesday. In Montana, drunken driving is a misdemeanor crime for the first three offenses; it becomes a felony on the fourth offense.

Through the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, MADD is dedicated to supporting state legislation that expands the use of current alcohol ignition interlock technology so that interlocks are mandatory for all convicted drunk drivers in all 50 states.

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

December 18, 2008

North Carolina Woman Arrested for Fatal DWI Has Three Previous Drunk Driving Convictions

A Charlotte woman with three drunk driving convictions was arrested after a crash that killed a pedestrian Monday night. Sandra Klees, 40, is charged with DWI, driving without a license and felony hit-and-run. Read the complete story from the Charlotte Observer.

Research shows that alcohol ignition interlocks on the vehicles of all convicted drunk drivers significantly reduces deaths and injuries due to drunk driving -- an average of 64 percent reduction in repeat offenses.

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. And make a personal Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

December 17, 2008

Texas Girl, 13, Fatally Struck by Suspected Repeat Drunk Driver

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a man, who police say was drunk, hit and killed eighth-grader Lilly Lalime shortly after she exited her school bus on Tuesday, December 16. The man, who was charged with intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid, was convicted of driving while intoxicated earlier this year.

Ignition interlocks might have prevented this tragedy.

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, including first-time offenders.

New Hampshire Man Sentenced to Prison for Drunk Driving Death of Off-Duty Police Officer

According to an article in the New Hampshire Union Leader, 22-year-old Jeffrey Dennis was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison for the death of an off-duty Hopkinton, New Hampshire police officer. Dennis had been drinking before he hit the off-duty officer's motorcycle last August.

Among the conditions of his sentence, Dennis must have an alcohol ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle he drives for up to five years.

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

December 11, 2008

Calls for Tougher Drunk Driving Laws in Wisconsin Renewed After Man Arrested for 8th DUI

A story from WTMJ News Radio reports that an 8-time drunk driver arrested after hitting a college student, several cars and a light pole and a 7-time drunk driver arrested for drunk driving twice in 8 days have renewed calls for Wisconsin to get tougher on people who repeatedly drive under the influence.

In 2007, 313 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Wisconsin.

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. Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin.

December 10, 2008

California Man Charged with Drunk Driving in Bicyclist's Death Has History of DUIs

According to an article in the San Diego Union Tribune, a man charged with hitting and killing a bicyclist last week has a history of drunk driving convictions in California and New York.

The man was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, hit-and-run driving causing death and two counts of drunk driving.

MADD's recently released State Progress Report revealed:

  • Californians share the road with 310,971 drunk drivers with three or more DUI convictions
  • More than 44,200 of those drivers have five or more DUI convictions

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.

December 8, 2008

New York Congressman Vito Fossella Sentenced to Five Days in Jail for DUI

According to an article from the Associated Press, Rep. Vito Fossella from Staten Island has been sentenced to serve five days in jail after being arrested in Virginia on May 1 with a blood alcohol content of .17, more than twice the legal limit.

Research shows that individuals convicted of drunk driving for the first time have driven drunk more than 87 times before their first arrest. Alcohol ignition interlocks are proven to be an effective tool in the battle against drunk driving. Studies have shown 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. And make a personal Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

Prominent Hollywood Financier Arrested for Drunk Driving While on Probation for Earlier DUI Conviction

According to an article in The New York Times, Ryan Kavanaugh, one of Hollywood’s most prominent film financiers, was arrested for drunk driving, speeding and driving with a suspended license in October while still on probation for an earlier conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol.

MADD's recently released State Progress Report revealed:

  • California families share the road with 310,971 drunk drivers with three or more DUI convictions
  • More than 44,200 of those drivers have five or more DUI convictions

Research shows that alcohol ignition interlocks on the vehicles of all convicted drunk drivers significantly reduces deaths and injuries due to drunk driving -- an average of 64 percent reduction in repeat offenses.

In 2009, MADD will work with California lawmakers to reintroduce legislation mandating interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders. Contact your state lawmakers and tell them you support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

December 3, 2008

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.

December 2, 2008

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.

Two New York Drivers Charged with DWI in Same Car

Long Island police made a double DWI arrest when a driver and a passenger switched places as they were pulled over, according to an article in Newsday.

Research shows that individuals convicted of drunk driving for the first time have driven drunk more than 87 times before their first arrest. Alcohol ignition interlocks are proven to be an effective tool in the battle against drunk driving. Studies have shown 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.

December 1, 2008

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