MADD at Dad

Latest Proposal from Mothers Against Drunk Driving Includes Harsh Zero Tolerance Against Divorced Fathers

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Father's Day is a time for many dads to kick back, relax and enjoy a day out with their kids. But divorced dads should beware of the latest policy recommendations from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which single out divorced parents for an extreme zero tolerance policy.

MADD's recently released "Child Endangerment Report" outlines a proposal which states that a divorced parent who drives his or her kids safely home after having even a single drink should be punished with penalties that "should include, but are not limited to" -- "incarceration," "change of primary custody," or "termination of parental rights." Furthermore, MADD wants this Prohibitionist requirement formalized and having the force of law by including it in every separation agreement and divorce decree.

"This is a major departure from the war on drunk driving," said John Doyle, executive director of the American Beverage Institute. "MADD once led a noble effort to raise national awareness about drunk driving. Today it has slipped into pure anti-alcohol zealotry with its 'zero tolerance' campaign against drinking anything at all before driving."

The divorced parent proposal is a classic example of how MADD is taking the nation down the wrong path in the war against drunk driving. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the average blood alcohol content (BAC) level in a drunk driving fatality is .16 percent- twice the legal limit. In unveiling their report, MADD featured two tragic cases where a mother killed or injured her children in an alcohol-related accident. One mother had a BAC of .22%. The other blew a .256% BAC. Lowering the arrest threshold would have had no impact on these women -- or any other alcohol abuser -- who flagrantly violate existing law. Yet MADD wants divorced and separated parents to suffer stiff punishments for simply drinking -- legally and responsibly -- prior to driving with their children.

"Arresting people who are behaving responsibly and creating a new class of laws for divorced parents is ridiculous," Doyle said. "MADD's latest neo- prohibitionist campaign would only serve to fill America's courts and jails with people who, by current law and common sense, are considered to be behaving responsibly."

The American Beverage Institute, an association of restaurants committed to the responsible serving of adult beverages. To learn more visit: http://www.americanbeverageinstitute.com/.