Continuing to Offer Proven Strategies to Stop Impaired Driving

DOVER, Del., Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Delaware Governor Jack Markell has signed into law House Bill (HB) 212 and Senate Bill (SB) 260, supported by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility. HB 212, effective immediately, mandates the use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs) for all convicted DUI offenders for a minimum of four months. SB 260, effective October 15, 2014, will allow offenders who are placed into the state Driving Under the Influence Treatment Program to obtain a conditional license as long as they install an IID on all vehicles registered in their name. This new law also incentivizes participation in the Treatment Program by allowing the offender to seek license reinstatement upon completion of the program.

Since it was founded, the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility has been a leader in the fight to combat drunk driving. The group supports general deterrence countermeasures aimed at eliminating drunk driving, which include administrative license revocation, .08 BAC limit for drivers, ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders, high visibility enforcement, BAC education, safe ride and designated driver programs, and the development of technology that will prevent a driver at a .08 BAC level from starting a vehicle. The Foundation for Alcohol Responsibility supported drunk driving legislation in 33 states this year.

"We believe these new laws will make important strides in addressing drunk driving in Delaware and prevent fatalities and injuries on Delaware roads," said Ralph Blackman, President and CEO of the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility. "We are proud to support this legislation and to have worked with the members of the Delaware General Assembly and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. We applaud Governor Markell for signing these bills into law."

Delaware has made great strides in combating drunk driving on its roadways over the last decade. Between 2002 and 2012, there was a reported 12.1% drop in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. However, even with these encouraging numbers, there is still progress to be made. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2012 fatal crash data, 30% of motor vehicle fatalities in Delaware involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Legislation such as HB 212 and SB 260 will help combat drunk driving even further and continue to reduce the alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.

As part of a comprehensive solution to eliminate drunk driving, the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility supports the mandatory and effective use of ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders. Effective use of ignition interlocks requires proper assessment and treatment, supervision, and verification of installation for all offenders ordered to install the device. Currently, 24 states and four counties in California require ignition interlock devices for all DUI offenders.

For more information on our policy positions on drunk driving, please visit http://responsibility.org/drunk-driving/advancing-effective-solutions-eliminate-drunk-driving.

About the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
Formerly known as The Century Council, the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org) is a national not-for-profit that leads the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and is funded by the following distillers: Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; Beam Suntory; Brown-Forman; Constellation Brands, Inc.; DIAGEO; Hood River Distillers, Inc.; and Pernod Ricard USA. For more than 23 years, Responsibility.org has transformed countless lives through programs that bring individuals, families and communities together to guide a lifetime of conversations around alcohol responsibility. To learn more, please visit us at responsibility.org.

Contact: Darron Moffatt
[email protected]
202-637-0077

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SOURCE Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility

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