MADD Urges Virginia Senate Committee to Approve Alcohol Ignition Interlocks for All Convicted Drunk Drivers

Lifesaving Measure is up for Committee Vote TODAY

RICHMOND, Va., March 3, 2008; The following is an advisory released by Mothers Against Drunk Driving:

WHAT: Chris Konschak, Executive Director of MADD Virginia, is available for media inquiries TODAY regarding legislation that would require the installation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders. The bill, H.B. 1442, will be considered at a hearing this morning in the state Senate's Courts of Justice Committee. The House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed this legislation last month. With only one week remaining in Virginia's 2008 legislative session, it is crucial that the committee pass H.B. 1442 and allow the full Senate to vote on it.

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee hearing will take place at 9:00am in Senate Room A in the General Assembly Building.

  WHO:  Chris Konschak, Executive Director, MADD Virginia

  WHEN:  TODAY, Monday, March 3

WHY: Drunk driving is the nation's most frequently committed violent crime. In Virginia, 300 people were killed in 2006 in drunk driving crashes in which the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Research shows that alcohol ignition interlocks on the vehicles of all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders, will significantly reduce deaths and injuries due to drunk driving. The devices are up to 90 percent effective at decreasing recidivism when installed and used on the vehicles of both first-time and repeat offenders.

MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501 (c) (3) charity with 2 million members and supporters nationwide. Founded in 1980, MADD has helped save more than 330,000 lives. For more information, visit http://www.madd.org/.