MADD Ohio Holds Press Conference to Stop Drunk Driving

Columbus, OH – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) held a press conference today to raise awareness to the problem of drunk driving in Ohio and announce its support for lifesaving ignition interlock legislation, HB 469, Annie’s Law. Named after Annie Rooney who was killed by a drunk driver on July 4, 2013, this legislation would require ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders, with an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater.

“MADD, the nation’s leader in working to protect families from drunk driving, thanks Representatives Johnson and Scherer for their leadership and guidance as we work together to advance Annie’s Law. This legislation honors all of the victims of drunk driving in Ohio,” said MADD Ohio State Executive Director Doug Scoles.

The press conference was held at the Ohio State House Harding Senate Press Room and speakers included NTSB’s Acting Chairman Christopher Hart, bill sponsors Representatives Terry Johnson and Gary Scherer, William “Bill” Windsor, Associate Vice President of Consumer Safety for Nationwide Insurance and Dr. Richard Rooney, Annie’s father.

“The NTSB recommends transportation safety improvements based on facts, science, and data,” said NTSB Acting Chairman Hart. “According to an estimate by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, if all drivers with at least one alcohol-impaired driving conviction within the three years prior to the accident used zero-BAC ignition interlocks, approximately 1,100 deaths could have been prevented in one year. The evidence shows that ignition interlock technology can – and should – be embraced, and this is why the NTSB supports Annie’s Law.”

Drunk driving deaths are 100 percent preventable. However, in 2012, 385 people, more than one a day, have been killed in crashes involving a drunk driver in Ohio—representing 34 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state. If you’ve been in an accident that was the result of a drunk driver. Then it might be a good idea to get yourself a lawyer such as this St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer to help you with your case. This is an incredibly important step particular if you have been injured in the accident, as getting a lawyer can help you get compensation for any damages that you received. If you do get involved in a crash with a drunk driver then you will have no choice but to claim on your insurance which will affect your no-claims bonus on your insurance. If you find that this increases your insurances rate then you can compare car insurance here to find a cheaper one.

“Sadly stories similar to Annie happen far too often. With this legislation in her name we have the opportunity to make Ohio’s roads a safer place to travel on,” said Representative Johnson.

HB 469 will protect families in Ohio and reduce drunk driving deaths. It is an important piece of legislation that will improve traffic safety and save lives.

“Annie lived a meaningful life. Although this legislation does not bring her back, it can make a meaningful and beneficial change in Ohio that Annie would be proud of,” said Representative Scherer.

Ignition interlocks are more effective than license suspension as offenders will continue to drive on a suspend license. Research shows that 50 to 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers often continue to drive even with a suspended driver’s license.

“We believe a better approach (than license suspension) to reduce drunk driving and save lives is to require an ignition interlock for all convicted drunk driving offenders. Requiring an ignition interlock will protect all Ohioans from a convicted DUI offender driving drunk again,” said Bill Windsor. “It is also a good alternative for the convicted offenders as it allows them to drive to work and continue family responsibilities while preventing them from driving drunk again while putting their lives back together.”

“As we mark the one year anniversary of Annie’s death we are hopeful that lawmakers will take action and advance Annie’s Law. Our family has been laser focused on preventing another family from going through this senseless, preventable, loss of life on our roads shortly after Annie’s death,” said Dr. Rooney. “It is smart legislation and will protect the innocent; it will save lives.”

Incentive grant dollars from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be available to help defray any costs to the state in administrating the program. Ohio could receive approximately $688,000 annually with the passage of Annie’s Law.

Twenty four other states have passed similar legislation and have seen a significant reduction in drunk driving fatalities. Specifically, since New Mexico’s interlock law was implemented in 2005, drunk driving fatalities are down by 38 percent. Since Arizona and Louisiana implemented their interlock law in 2007, drunk driving deaths have decreased by 43 and 35 percent, respectively. In Oregon, as a result of 2008 interlock law, drunk driving deaths are down 42 percent.

MADD along with the major traffic safety groups in the US, including AAA, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), National Safety Council (NSC) and Advocates for Auto and Highway Safety have endorsed all offender ignition interlock laws as the key measure needed to reduce the preventable loss caused by drunk driving.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Jacqueline Gillan said, “Every day Ohio families are at risk of death or serious injury on our streets and roads when convicted drunk drivers get behind the wheel of a car and drive drunk. The Ohio Legislature has an opportunity to pass Annie’s Law (HB 469) to stop these career criminals. Advocates strongly supports Annie’s Law and is proud to work with her family and others to promote passage. It’s time this legislation was passed.”

National Safety Council Vice President John Ulczycki commented, “We (the National Safety Council) recognize(s) that ignition interlocks are proven effective in reducing drunk driving. We encourage Ohio to pass Annie’s Law to require ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers who wish to continue driving during their suspension. Legislators and governors do not have many opportunities to take action that saves lives. This is one of those times.”

This legislation will be taken up when the session reconvenes in the Fall.

For more information on interlocks, please visit www.madd.org/interlock.