On Eve of Deadly Road Travel Memorial Day Weekend, New Federal Legislation Introduced to Combat Drunk Driving and Increase Seatbelt Use

New Federal Legislation Announced To Back DUI/Seat Belt Law Enforcement, Crackdown On Repeat Offenders and Other 'Higher-Risk' Drivers

As Congress Opens Hearings On Multi-Billion Dollar U.S. Transportation Program, New Bills to Take Aim at Rising Tide of Drunk Driving Deaths

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- As Americans hit the roads for Memorial Day, the most dangerous holiday weekend for alcohol-related traffic crashes (2001), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) applauded U.S. Senators Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Frank Launtenberg's (D-NJ) introduction of new federal legislation to back increased DUI/ seatbelt law enforcement crackdowns and to prod states to enact get-tough laws targeting repeat offenders and other "higher-risk" drivers. The legislative action comes as part of this week's Congressional hearings for the reauthorization of the multi-year, multi- billion dollar Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA-21).

MADD says it is time to make drunk driving prevention a top priority, as alcohol-related traffic deaths have increased for the third year in a row. "America has become complacent and we now face weak laws and minimal resources for effective law enforcement and awareness efforts, " said Wendy J. Hamilton, MADD national president at today's hearings. "Drunk driving is still often treated as a minor traffic offense rather than what it really is -- the most frequently committed violent crime in our country."

The proposed legislation backed by MADD would encourage states to enact get-tough laws targeting "higher-risk" drivers as a condition of receiving their full share of federal highway funds. MADD defines a "higher-risk driver" as a repeat drunk driving offender, a driver with a high blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or greater, or someone driving on a suspended license where the suspension is the result of a prior DUI conviction. Hamilton's sister Becky and nephew Timmy were killed in a crash resulting from a drunk driver with a .16 percent BAC.

The separate "Traffic Safety Law Enforcement Campaign Act" would back law enforcement crackdowns, such as sobriety checkpoints and other highly publicized campaigns to curb drunk driving and boost seat belt use. In addition to program elements, the annual $150 million funding would provide much needed support for law enforcement such as training and up-to-date equipment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) would conduct the campaigns.

Surveys show that more than 75 percent of the public support sobriety checkpoints to help combat drunk driving and 62 percent of Americans want sobriety checkpoints to be used more often.

"Research shows that coordinated law enforcement mobilizations are keys to saving lives and preventing injuries on our highways," said Hamilton. "Our nation's leaders say they are dedicated to stamping out the drunk driving epidemic and it is time to finally put the money where their mouth is."

Last year nearly 18,000 people were killed and 500,000 others were injured in crashes involving alcohol, representing 49 deaths and 1,370 injuries every day. About one-third of drivers arrested or convicted of DUI are repeat offenders. More than 75 percent of people who are fatally injured in impaired driving crashes are not wearing seat belts.

The legislation introduced this week complements MADD's overall proposal for Congress' reauthorization of TEA-21, which also includes establishment of a first-time National Traffic Safety Fund for drunk driving and seat belt enforcement; stricter accountability controls to ensure that federal funds are used more effectively and strategically at the state and national level with increased leadership from the NHTSA; a national primary seat belt enforcement standard; and a national standard banning open containers of alcoholic beverage in vehicles.

Hamilton said the Administration's alternative "SAFETEA" reauthorization proposal is disappointing and falls woefully short of real "safety" for America's roadways. The DOT proposal recommends an impaired driving program of only $50 million, far less than current funding levels and obviously not enough to reverse the recent deadly trend of alcohol-related traffic deaths.

Traffic crashes cost Americans $230 billion each year, but federal spending on highway safety was only $522 million in 2001 with just 26 percent going to fight drunk driving. "Compared to the financial and human costs of drunk driving, our nation is spending a mere pittance on the problem. It's time to make changes for the safety of my family and all families," explained Hamilton.

MADD is the premiere organization working to fight drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501(c) 3 charity with 600 chapters and 2 million members nationwide. Nearly 270,000 lives have been saved since MADD's founding in 1980. For more information, visit www.madd.org.