Death of Angels Adenhart by Suspected Repeat Drunk Driver Shows the Need for Ignition Interlocks

LOS ANGELES, April 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The suspected drunk driving crash that led to the death of three innocent people including Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and the serious injury of another could have been prevented with a strong ignition interlock law in California.

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"Our hearts go out to all of the families and friends impacted by the alleged drunk driving crash that killed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart," said Laura Dean-Mooney, MADD National President. "Any drunk driving death means a life-long sentence of grief for families and loved ones."

Ignition Interlock Legislation in California

Thanks to the leadership of Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-LA), California has a chance to make real progress in its effort to stop drunk driving. Assemblyman Feuer has introduced a bill (AB 91) that will require all convicted drunk drivers in four California counties to have ignition interlock devices for a minimum of six months as a condition to driving. The four counties are Los Angeles, Alameda, San Diego and Sacramento.

Despite its limited reach, the bill will have a broad impact on drunk driving in California as these four counties alone accounted for about 40 percent of California's 2007 DUI arrests. In 2007, 1,155 Californians were killed by drunk drivers and 509 of these came from the four counties covered by AB 91. The bill will be heard before the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, April 14.

According to the Associated Press, the suspected offender has a previous DUI conviction and was driving on a suspended license. This is not uncommon. Research shows that 50 to 75 percent of drunk drivers whose licenses are suspended continue to drive anyway. Ignition interlocks are proven to reduce repeat drunk driving offenses by 64 percent on average.

"Why didn't that guy have an interlock on his car? That is the question every Californian should ask their legislator," said Dean-Mooney.

Californians are sharing the road with 310,971 convicted drunk drivers with three or more DUI convictions and 44,210 of those people have five or more convictions, according to a study released by MADD last year based upon data from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In addition to MADD, many other groups support AB 91 including Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Los Angeles Police Department, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Nurses Association, California Hospital Association, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, John Muir Medical Center, City of Beverly Hills, City of Los Angeles, San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Association of California Insurance Companies, AAA of Northern CA and Automobile Club of Southern CA.

An alcohol ignition interlock, paid for by the convicted drunk driver, is a breath test device linked to a vehicle's ignition system. When a convicted drunk driver wishes to start his or her vehicle, he or she must first blow into the device, but the vehicle will not start if the driver has alcohol in his or her system.

MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving

"MADD believes drunk driving is a 100 percent preventable crime. We want the public to know that as a nation we don't have to put up with these deaths and injuries. MADD will one day make drunk driving a thing of the past but we need the public's help."

To reach this goal, MADD launched its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. Built upon proven methods to stop and reduce drunk driving, the Campaign calls for an increase in high visibility enforcement, mandatory ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers and the development of advanced technology that will one day make cars inoperable by someone who is drunk. "If we can't stop drunks from driving cars, we'll stop the cars from driving drunks," said Dean-Mooney.

MADD offers free victim services to those impacted by drunk driving including 24/7 services through our toll free helpline at 1-877-MADD-HELP.

MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving calls for intensive high-visibility law enforcement and full implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks. MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. Founded in 1980, MADD has helped save more than 330,000 lives. For more information, visit www.madd.org.

SOURCE Mothers Against Drunk Driving