Interlock Wave Surges and Protects Roadways

Last week, new ignition interlock laws went into effect. Wisconsin now requires ignition interlocks for first time convicted drunk drivers with a BAC of .15, repeat offenders and for those who refuse a BAC test. California requires interlocks for all offenders in four counties: Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare.



California joins 13 other states with laws requiring ignition interlocks for all first time convicted DUI offenders. Wisconsin joins nine other states requiring these devices for first time convicted drunk drivers with a BAC of .15 or greater. In 2007, North Carolina enacted a law similar to Wisconsin. Here is a North Carolina’s newspaper’s take on only requiring interlocks for offenders with a BAC of .15 or greater when the illegal level is .08.



As part of the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, MADD aims to require ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers with an illegal BAC of .08 or greater.


To take action for a better interlock law in your state, please go to MADD’s take action page.

It's a potential time bomb

Check out this article re: going ons in Wisconsin. I don't think they are alone and are among other states trying to shore up budget shortfalls by letting criminals out of jail early. Don't have the answer to budget woes but certainly endangering more people by letting criminals out early can't be the answer. All convicted drunk drivers must get an interlock to make sure they don't drive drunk. That is part of the solution.

The New York Times Hits the Nail on the Head

MADD shared the response below to The New York Times wheels blog titled "Support Grows for Alcohol Interlocks on Cars." The journalist got it right. Interlocks do work and people who drive drunk deserve them. Some want everyone to believe MADD stands for Mothers Against Drinking Daiquiris and that is just wrong. We're ok if you drink a daiquiri, we just want you to make sure you designate a sober driver before you do.

MADD response on NYT blog:

If we have vehicle features that already work overtime to protect and assist the driver, it only makes sense to add anti-drunk driving to that list. No one wants to share the roads with a drunk driver and nearly 13,000 people a year die because of drunk driving and so many more are injured. MADD wants to use technology to stop drunk driving not drinking alcohol.

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.

Wisconsin Teen Leads Anti-Drunk Driving Campaign

After the death of Lacey Meinel in a crash caused by an accused drunk driver, 15-year-old Lexi Zuleger launched a petition drive to convince Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker and other lawmakers of the need for tougher drunk driving penalties.

Read the complete story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

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.

Illinois Man Faces 11th DUI Charge

According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, a southern Illinois man faces his 11th DUI charge after police say he was drunk when he caused a crash.

Today on our roads, there are 2 million drivers with 3 or more drunk driving convictions and 400,000 with 5 or more convictions.

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.

Currently eight states mandate or provide strong incentives for ignition interlocks for all persons convicted of DUI -- Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico and Washington. If you are a resident of one of the other 42 states, contact your legislators and tell them you support saving lives and eliminating repeat drunk driving offenses by mandating ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders.

MADD Joins Senate Leaders and Victims' Families in New Jersey to Call for Lifesaving Ignition Interlocks for ALL Convicted Drunk Drivers

MADD national president Laura Dean-Mooney joined New Jersey State Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Northfield) and Assemblyman Eric Munoz, M.D. (R-Summit) in support of lifesaving legislation, S 1926 and companion bill A 3073, that would require all convicted drunk drivers to install alcohol ignition interlocks in their vehicle. The bill – “Ricci’s Law” – is named for Ricci Branca, a 17-year-old killed by a drunk driver in a hit-and-run in 2006.

Learn more about the efforts to stop repeat drunk drivers in New Jersey.

Take Action!
Urge your lawmakers to support ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders

10-Time DUI Offender Freed Early in Arkansas

An Arkansas woman who was convicted of DUI 10 times in 12 years was released from prison after serving less than a tenth of her sentence. Read the complete story from the Benton, Arkansas Courier.

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.

Convicted Drunk Driver Held on Intoxication Manslaughter in Deaths of Dallas Grandmother, Granddaughter

A Dallas, Texas grandmother and her 1-year-old granddaughter were hit by an alleged drunk driver over the weekend. Read the complete story from The Dallas Morning News.

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to require alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders.

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.

Idaho Man Arrested for DUI Twice in Same Night

Idaho police arrested a 31-year-old man for DUI twice in the same night. The individual bonded out of jail Saturday night and was again arrested early Sunday morning. Read the complete story from KTVB.

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 about mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers.

Florida Woman Arrested for 10th DUI

Sheriff’s officials are calling it a local record: an Ellenton woman was jailed Saturday on her 10th drunken-driving arrest.

Data from the Florida Department of Transportation shows there are about 108,000 drivers in Florida with more than three DUI convictions. Read the complete story from the Sarasota, Florida Herald Tribune.

Research shows that individuals convicted of drunk driving for the first time have driven drunk more than 87 times before their first arrest. People drive drunk because they can. MADD advocates mandatory ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk driving offenders.

Call on your lawmakers to support ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders.

Nebraska Man Pleads Guilty to His 9th DUI

A man charged with his ninth DUI will be sentenced this fall. Read the complete story from KOLN/KGIN.

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.

Wisconsin Man Arrested for 10th Drunk Driving Offense

A Wisconsin man was in court this week facing his 10th charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Read the complete story from The Capital Times.

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.

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.

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.

North Carolina Driver Charged with 10th DWI

A Louisburg man charged earlier this week with DWI had been arrested nine other times for the same offense in the past 17 years, according to court records. Read the complete story from WRAL.

People continue to drive drunk because they can. Ignition interlocks can prevent repeat offenders from driving drunk.

Woman Sentenced to 16 Years for Drunk Driving Crash that Killed Two Eugene Symphony Musicians

A judge sentenced a woman to 16 years Tuesday for assault, two counts of manslaughter and drunken driving. A jury found the woman guilty earlier this month of causing a crash that killed two musicians from the Eugene Symphony last year. Read the complete story from KATU.

Call for ignition interlocks on the vehicles of all convicted drunk drivers.