(KMJ) -WASHINGTON, D.C., November 17, 2015 — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) today announces its “2015 Legislators of the Year” for their contribution to eliminate drunk driving.
“MADD graciously thanks these lawmakers who authored and helped advance legislation central to MADD’s mission of serving victims, preventing underage drinking, eliminating drunk driving and fighting drugged driving,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church. “Together, we will create a nation of No More Victims.”
Many of these legislative champions play a major role in MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which was launched in 2006. A key component of the Campaign calls for the passage of all-offender interlock laws, which require the use of an ignition interlock for any convicted drunk driver who seeks driving privileges during a license suspension period. Prior to the Campaign, only one state — New Mexico — had an all-offender interlock law. Today, 25 states have enacted all-offender interlock laws.
California Senator Jerry Hill authored SB 61, which extends the end date of the four-county interlock pilot program until July 2017. These counties include: Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare.
2015 advances in the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving:
• Texas became the 25th state to enact an all-offender interlock law.
• Kentucky became the 39th state to require interlocks for some level of first-time offenders. The devices are required for first offenders with a BAC of .15 or greater.
• California extended its four-county all-offender pilot program until July 2017. MADD will be back in 2016 calling on lawmakers to expand the pilot permanently on a statewide level.
• In Illinois and Arkansas, several bills passed in each state improving their all-offender interlock law. Interlock users in both states can begin using an interlock sooner, and the new laws ensure greater compliance with interlock orders.
• Colorado became the 46th state to make repeat DUI offenses a felony (4th time offenders). Additionally, the new law allows a judge to order second-time offenders to use an interlock for five years.
In all, MADD recognized 70 lawmakers for their tireless work and commitment to saving lives.
2015 MADD Legislative Champions: California Senator Jerry Hill.
For more information on their accomplishments, please visit: www.madd.org/blog.
