MADD Applauds Florida for Approving Lifesaving Alcohol Ignition Interlocks

6/19/2008 12:00:00 AM

Contact Information

Don Murray, MADD Florida
813-458-1015
don.murray@madd.org

Misty Moyse, MADD National
469-420-4558
misty.moyse@madd.org

Ashley Middleton, GMMB
202-572-2937
ashley.middleton@gmmb.com

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (June 19, 2008) – Governor Charlie Crist (R) signed into law on June 17 a measure that will save countless lives and prevent thousands of injuries by requiring all convicted drunk drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 or over to install an alcohol ignition interlock device on their vehicles. This new law goes into effect on October 1, 2008.

As part of a broad Department of Transportation bill, CS1992 delivered a large package of highway safety measures to Floridians including this lifesaving alcohol ignition interlock legislation. The bill was sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman, Senator Carey Baker. Similar to two other states who passed high-BAC legislation this year – Virginia and West Virginia – Florida is furthering MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

“This landmark legislation will make it harder for convicted drunk drivers to endanger themselves and others,” said Don Murray, Executive Director of MADD Florida. “MADD thanks Florida lawmakers for approving this bill and all of those who worked so hard over the course of this legislative session to ensure its passage.”

MADD also worked closely with Senator Stephen Wise and Representative David Simmons on two interlock bills covering .08 convicted drunk drivers that did not make it out of committee. MADD’s continued goal for Florida, one they will be working towards in 2009, will be to have interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

“As the original sponsor of this important legislation in the Florida House, and as the original sponsor of the legislation requiring mandatory use of interlock devices in Florida, I want to commend MADD for its tireless efforts to save lives on America’s roads,” said Representative Simmons. “Requiring interlock devices for first time DUI offenders whose blood alcohol level is greater than .15 is another important step in fighting drunk driving in Florida. Thank you, MADD, for the critical role you continue to play in passing this life-saving legislation.”

The legislation is named for Grace Redgate, a nine-month-old who was killed by a drunk driver with several previous convictions in a crash that tore Grace’s stroller from her mother’s grasp while taking an evening walk.

“An alcohol ignition interlock would have saved my daughter,” said Grace’s mother, Anna Redgate. “This legislation will help keep convicted drunk drivers off the roads and spare other mothers the heartbreak I’ve suffered.”

“This legislation is a huge step towards eliminating drunk driving in Florida,” said MADD National President and Florida native Glynn Birch. “We will continue to build upon this momentum by continuing to work to pass legislation that will require interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.” Eight states require alcohol ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers, including New Mexico, Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana, Washington, Nebraska, Colorado and Alaska.

An alcohol ignition interlock is a small, sophisticated device – about the size of a cell phone – that is installed into the starting circuit of a vehicle. A driver must blow into the device and the vehicle will not start if the driver has alcohol in their system. Sober drivers will be able to operate the vehicles normally.

“These devices are much more sophisticated and effective than in previous years,” stated Don Murray.

Alcohol ignition interlocks are proven to be an effective tool in the battle against drunk driving. Studies have shown the devices are up to 90 percent effective in keeping convicted drunk drivers from recommitting the crime, as long as the interlock is installed on the vehicle.

Research shows that drunk drivers facing their first conviction have driven drunk more than 87 times before their first arrest. This law will expand the use of alcohol ignition interlocks making it more difficult for all convicted drunk drivers, including the most egregious ones who have not been previously convicted, to repeat their crime.

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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.

 

The Power of 10
Rebuilds Lives

Please join us to support 10 families who have lost their homes along with all their possessions to the devastating floodwaters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Amy Graham, the wife of Greg Graham, has started a fund raising campaign for the families. Greg served the community of Ocala for 25 years with the Ocala Police Department. He left his position as Deputy Chief to become the new Chief of Police in Cedar Rapids. After only 11 days on the job, record flooding traumatized the city of Cedar Rapids.

Ten employees of the city have lost everything they own, including their homes. Although they have lost everything they continue to assist others in need.

As a community we have the power to help these 10 families rebuild their lives. As mayor of Ocala, Randy Ewers has stepped up many times to show his support to our community, lead us in times of tragedy, and has been a strong example of compassion. He is supporting these efforts to uphold the values we hold dear in helping all those in need during times of strife and struggle.

We are asking you to support these families by wearing black bracelets during our 10-day campaign. With a $10 donation we can make a difference.

Drop off points for the donations in Ocala include:

1st Quality Title (352) 690 -1787
Palm Chevrolet (352) 629 - 8011
OPD front desk (352) 690 - 7000
Gateway Bank (352) 368 -3756

Please make checks payable to Cedar Rapids Police Department.

For more information on the campaign, relief efforts, and the stories of these families please visit: foundationforgrace.org
Tax-deductible donations can also be made through this website under Power of 10 on a PayPal account.

For more information on how you can help, call:
Amy Graham: (352) 572-5482 Kathy Bryant: (352) 572-5775

Ocala, Fl Mayor Randy Ewers, Ocala, Fl Chief of Police Samuel Williams and Cedar Rapids, Iowa Chief of Police Greg Graham, endorse these efforts.

           

Thank you to all the volunteers and contributors to these efforts.

Friday night, on the 16th of November, Anna Redgate was invited to be the guest speaker at a Candlelight Vigil hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Candle Light Vigil events are put on this time of year to honor the lost lives of loved ones who are tragically and senselessly killed by impaired drivers. The Vigil was a beautiful event honoring Grief; Courage; Memory;Love; and Hope.

This was the 27th Annual Candlelight Vigil for MADD central Florida. Orlando’s Channel 13 News was covering the event in conjunction with running a story on the consequences and effects impaired driving has on communities everywhere. Please see the link below for the story and interview with Anna Redgate.

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