What would you do?

John Quiñones Co-Anchor of ABC News Magazine show Primetime has been hosting a segment called "What would you do?" which tests how individuals respond to ethical dilemmas through hidden camera scenarios. Last Friday night, his test involved a woman asking passerbys to blow into a ignition interlock for her.

The segment perpetuated some common misnomers:

• Blowing into the device isn't simple. It usually involves performance of a specific sequence of exercises that are taught to offenders and not easily replicated to just any passerby.
• Many new devices include cameras. The device takes a picture of the person blowing into the device. This information is transmitted to probation officers as part of their monthly report.
• Most devices require running retests. Driver must often provide breath tests at regular intervals, preventing drivers from asking a sober friend to start the car. If a driver fails a running retest, the vehicle’s horn will honk and/or the lights will flash to alert law enforcement.

The failure to make these points aside, the segment provided stunning proof that some people still treat drunk driving cavalierly. It also proved that laws and enforcement of those laws remain a major deterrent to this crime.

Priorities

There are many concerns today as seen in recent polls. We also know people are very concerned about drunk driving and support technology to stop it. We now have 12 states with ignition interlock laws for convicted drunk drivers and have new technology being explored to stop drunk driving all together. While we may not have all the answers to American economy, it is nice to know we do have the answers to eliminate drunk driving.

U.S. may require anti-DWI locks on vehicles

A national campaign against first-time drunken-driving offenders is gaining ground as states and the federal government weigh mandatory use of devices requiring violators to prove their sobriety before their engines start.

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.

Repeat Offender Dad Drives Son Home Drunk from Baseball Game

According to the Minnesota Star-Tribune, a 44-year old father on probation for a previous drunk driving offense was pulled over after leaving a local ballpark with his son. Officers administered a breathalyzer test and arrested the man after he registered a .375 blood alcohol concentration for DUI and child endangerment.

I can't think of a better reason to mandate ignition interlocks than in a situation like this. Had the court given this offender an ignition interlock as a condition of his probation, he couldn't have gotten behind the wheel of his car drunk. Thankfully police officers were able to pull him over before he could kill or injure his son or someone else.

To find out more about child endangerment, read MADD's report Every Child Deserves a Designated Driver.

Say What?!?! Drunk Driver in Crash Had 78 Prior License Suspensions

The Daily Record reports that a man whose license has been suspended 78 times was allegedly driving drunk when he crashed into a pickup truck, injuring a man and his 4-year-old daughter Monday.
His license was first suspended on March 3, 1987, for DWI. Since then, his license was suspended 12 times for that same offense.

This story illustrates the importance of mandating ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. License suspensions simply do not work.

If a convicted drunk driver is going to get behind the wheel of a car, isn't it better to know that they are sober?

Support mandatory ignition interlocks in your state.

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?

Texas woman arrested in hit and run on probation for DWI

The Beaumont Enterprise is reporting that a Texas woman arrested in a suspected hit and run was actually on probation for previous DWI.

This is why Texas needs ignition interlocks. While the technology is there, not enough judges are using it. The good news is that Texas legislators can change that.

There are several bills pending in the Texas legislature that would mandate ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Send a letter to vote in favor of this bill.

Woman arrested 3 times in 3 days for drunk driving

A woman vacationing in Wisconsin was arrested for drunk driving 3 times in 3 days. Maybe she needs to take a different kind of vacation next time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alleged Repeat Drunk Driver Crashes Into Car Outside Home of Drunk Driving Victim and Melanie’s Law Advocate

A car driven by an alleged repeat drunk driving offender crashed into the home of a woman who spent two months in the hospital in 2005 after an alleged repeat drunk driver hit the car she was riding in, head on. Read the complete story from the Brockton, Massachusetts Enterprise.

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.

Raiders Defensive Tackle Tommy Kelly Arrested for Suspicion of DUI

Another NFL star was arrested for DUI this week.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly – the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL – was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

In 2007, nearly 13,000 people were killed by drunk drivers with a BAC of .08 or above. Take a stand against drunk driving – by NFL players and ordinary citizens. Join MADD in the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

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.

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.

Wisconsin Man Sent to Prison for 12th Drunk Driving Offense

A Luck, Wisconsin man was sentenced to three years in prison for his 12th drunk driving offense. Read the complete story from WEAU.

Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin.

Iowa Man Convicted of 11th DUI

A Sioux Falls man had his day in court for his 11th drunk driving offense since 1989.

Read the complete story from KELO-TV.