Drunk Driving

Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving

Every year, nearly 13,000 people are killed by drunk drivers with an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or above. This represents more than 1,000 families every month that must live with the tragic consequences of drunk driving. In Massachusetts in 2008 there were 124 drunk driving fatalities, representing 34 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Although Massachusetts has seen a 20 percent reduction in drunk driving fatalities in the last year, the threat still remains. Drunk driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in the United States affecting 3 out of every 10 Americans.

In a bold new effort designed to eradicate one of the nation’s deadliest crimes, MADD launched our national Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which aims to literally wipe out drunk driving in the United States.

MADD’s 4-point plan to lead the nation toward the goals of eliminating drunk driving:

Intensive high-visibility law enforcement, including twice-yearly crackdowns and frequent enforcement efforts that include sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols in all 50 states.
Full implementation of current alcohol ignition interlock technologies, including efforts to require alcohol ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers. A key part of this effort will be working with judges, prosecutors and state driver’s license officials to stop the revolving door of repeat offenders.
Exploration of advanced vehicle technologies through the establishment of a Blue Ribbon panel of international safety experts to assess the feasibility of a range of technologies that would prevent drunk driving. These technologies must be moderately priced, absolutely reliable, set at the legal BAC limit and unobtrusive to the sober driver.
Mobilization of grassroots support, led by MADD and its 400+ affiliates, to make the elimination of drunk driving a reality. MADD is uniting drunk driving victims, families, community leaders, and policy makers in the fight to eliminate drunk driving.

With emerging technology, the vision that drunk drivers will not be able to operate vehicles is no longer a dream but, with substantial research, a real possibility. But to achieve it, all four strategies must succeed. Interlock use must expand to all convicted drunk drivers. Emerging technologies must be developed into effective and practical devices that don’t inhibit lawful drivers. High visibility enforcement must continue. All three of these components must be backed up by effective communications and broad public support.

Related resources

Click here to contact you legislators and let them know you support Senate Bill 1925 to require ignition interlocks for all convicted offenders in Massachusetts.