MADD Launches Petition to Strengthen Wisconsin’s Drunk Driving Laws

MILWAUKEE, Wis., June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In light of recent efforts to reform Wisconsin’s weak drunk driving laws, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) launched a petition calling on state lawmakers to strengthen penalties for all convicted drunk drivers. The petition — http://support.madd.org/pledgeWI — calls for stricter penalties, including requiring alcohol ignition interlocks, for all convicted drunk drivers.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030421/MADDLOGO )


“Enacting real reform to Wisconsin’s drunk driving laws must be a priority for our lawmakers,” said Executive Director of MADD Wisconsin Kari Kinnard. “By gathering signatures in support of the Wisconsin Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving, we can show that it is a priority for Wisconsinites from Milwaukee to Superior.”


With Wisconsin ranked as the worst in the country for the number of alcohol-related fatalities – 42 percent of all traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver – the citizens of Wisconsin need to join together and pledge their support to eliminate drunk driving in the state. In 2006, 305 people were killed in drunk driving crashes and more than 5,600 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes.


Requiring alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers is central to MADD’s goal to eliminate drunk driving. Alcohol ignition interlocks prevent a vehicle from being driven by a convicted drunk driver who has been drinking. When a driver wishes to start his or her vehicle, he or she must first blow into the device, and the system continues with rolling re-tests to ensure breath tests are consistently passed. Current Wisconsin law does not require interlocks for convicted drunk drivers, but judges have the option to require interlocks upon a second OWI offense.


“Wisconsin’s current system of waiting to get tough on drunk drivers until after they repeat two or three times, is simply ineffective and continues to fail,” said National President of MADD Glynn Birch.” By intensifying efforts, creating alliances and developing innovative solutions, together Wisconsin can take the fight against drunk driving to a new and unprecedented level.”


Petitioners in support of the pledge are joining the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin, which calls for intensive high-visibility law enforcement, full implementation of current alcohol ignition interlock technologies, exploration and development of advanced vehicle technologies and mobilization of grassroots efforts.


Sign the petition at: http://support.madd.org/pledgeWI


MADD’s mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501 (c) (3) charity with 2 million members and supporters nationwide. Founded in 1980, MADD has helped save more than 330,000 lives. For more information, visit www.madd.org.


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Source: Mothers Against Drunk Driving


CONTACT: Trisha O’Connor, +1-202-572-2948, trisha.oconnor@gmmb.com, for
Mothers Against Drunk Driving; or Kari Kinnard of MADD Wisconsin,
+1-414-727-7505,
kari.kinnard@madd.org, or Misty Moyse of MADD National,
+1-469-420-4558,
misty.moyse@madd.org


Web Site: http://support.madd.org/pledgeWI
http://www.madd.org/