ATA Backs MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving

ARLINGTON, Va., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consistent with its proud history of advocating highway safety initiatives, American Trucking Associations today announced its support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®.

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"ATA and MADD share a common goal of reducing injuries and fatalities on our nation's highways – the trucking industry's workplace," ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said. "We welcome the opportunity to support their efforts to remove drunk drivers from our roads."

MADD's Campaign consists of a three-tiered approach to ending drunk driving including support for:

1. High-visibility law enforcement activities such as sobriety checkpoints,
2. Mandatory ignition interlock devices (in car breathalyzers) for convicted drunk drivers, and
3. The development of passive technology for cars that will detect whether or not the driver is at or above the legal limit of .08 and will prevent the vehicle from being operated if the driver is impaired.  

"Support for MADD's campaign is consistent with one of the many elements of ATA's broad safety agenda, aimed at improving the safety of our workplace," said Rob Abbott, ATA's Vice President for Safety Policy. "We are eager to help foster broader support and visibility for the Campaign and to bring about initiatives that will help eliminate drunk driving."

"MADD is pleased to have ATA's support for this important initiative to save lives and eliminate drunk driving," added MADD National President Jan Withers. "Each year in the U.S., nearly 11,000 people die and more than 350,000 are injured in drunk driving crashes, but with the help of partners like ATA, the Campaign holds the promise of safer roadways for American families."

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Good stuff. Trucks Bring It!

SOURCE American Trucking Associations