Advanced Technologies Being Actively Explored

DALLAS, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On November 20th, MADD will celebrate the third anniversary of its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. "We are on track to achieve MADD's goal of eliminating drunk driving," said Laura Dean-Mooney, National President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "The goal of the Campaign is to ensure there are no more victims of drunk driving. This is especially important given the anniversary of my husband Mike's death in two days. He would be proud to see these successes ensuring the future of our daughter's safety and that of other children."

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Here is our progress report on the four elements of the Campaign:

Support for High Visibility Law Enforcement.

The launch for the nationwide holiday crackdown of "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" is set for December 14th. This will be accompanied by national paid ads that MADD successfully urged the Congress to provide.

MADD continues to advocate for sobriety checkpoints in all fifty states, and supports full funding for law enforcement budgets.

MADD conducts Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremonies across the country to honor the extraordinary work of the men and women of law enforcement.

Ignition Interlocks for all Convicted Drunk Drivers.

Starting with one state, New Mexico, in 2005, we now have 12 states with statewide requirements for interlocks at .08 BAC and California with a major pilot program covering four counties.

These states cover 77 million people, with New York's law adding 21 million people just signed Nov. 18, 2009.

Results from New Mexico and Arizona are very strong with fatality reductions of 35 percent and 33 percent respectively.

Voluntary Exploration of Advanced Technologies.

The Cooperative Research Agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the world's leading automobile companies is well underway.

Three technology companies are now under contract to develop proof of concept devices that will unobtrusively and effectively detect when the driver is over the illegal level of .08 BAC.

Design prototypes are expected to be available by the summer of 2010.

Public Support.

The elimination of drunk driving will only be achieved with the full support of the American public.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released a major public opinion poll on September 17, 2009. It found that 84% of the public support interlocks for convicted drunk drivers, and 64% support advanced technology in all vehicles to stop drunk driving.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety issued its national poll in July 2009. It found that 90% of the public support interlocks for convicted drunk drivers, and 78% support interlocks in all vehicles.

In summary, these results prove that MADD is well underway in its goal of the elimination of drunk driving. For those that would like further information or would like to support our efforts, please go to our website at madd.org.

SOURCE Mothers Against Drunk Driving

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