New York Parkway Drunk Driving Crash Tragic Example of Child Endangerment
Advanced Technologies Could Stop Future Drunk Drivers
ALBANY, N.Y. and DALLAS, Aug. 5 -- "Mothers Against Drunk Driving expresses our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families whose loved ones died or were injured in the horrific New York Taconic Parkway drunk driving crash," says National President Laura Dean-Mooney. "The death of eight people, including four children, in this impaired driving crash is particularly appalling. MADD NY is offering the service of victim advocates and grief support resources to the families involved." Sadly, the leading cause of death to kids from drunk driving is as the passenger. Every child deserves a sober driver.
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Child endangerment is a form of child abuse. Caregivers who drive drunk endanger the lives of the children riding in their vehicles. Impaired drivers with child passengers account for the majority of drunk driving fatalities among children. Child endangerment laws protect innocent children from child abusers, including those who victimize children by driving impaired. While an impaired driver chooses to drink and drive, minor children can seldom choose not to ride with an impaired driver.
"One day advanced technologies could prevent a vehicle from being driven by someone who is drunk," says Dean-Mooney. "This is a key component of MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. "We know the advanced technology may be available in eight to 10 years. A cooperative research agreement with the Department of Transportation and auto industry will ensure that these technologies are thoroughly tested, unable to interfere with sober drivers, inexpensive and, introduced voluntarily. "Perhaps, you may even receive an auto insurance discount if you select the anti-drunk driving package."
MADD is determined to protect future generations from drunk driving, and protect children riding in vehicles with drunk drivers, who are frequently parents. On average, MADD receives 17,000 child endangerment calls annually from individuals concerned about children riding with alcohol impaired drivers. MADD intends to eliminate the violent crime of drunk driving, which has killed more than 4,000 people in New York since 1998.(i) Since its founding in 1980, MADD's focus continues to be victim services, serving more than 55,000 victims of drunk driving across the nation last year - at no charge.
"One of the first things New Yorkers could do is support Senate Bill 27B and Assembly Bill 7196A, introduced in Albany this year," says MADD Long Island Affiliate Executive Director Tom McCoy. "More than half New York's State Legislature supports this legislation, which requires ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders." People typically drive drunk many times before ever being arrested, so the term "first-time" offender is misleading.
More than 2 million drunk drivers with three or more drunk driving convictions likely still drive U.S. roads, including more than 400,000 with five or more drunk driving convictions.(ii) MADD's Campaign asks for community support from volunteers and interested citizens to contact their legislators to support interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Visit madd.org for ways to get involved. Visit dadss.org to learn about advanced technologies.
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 383,000 lives. For more information, visit www.madd.org.
(i) NHTSA-FARS Query, 2009
(ii) Repeat Offense Data Reported by States. Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 2008. http://www.madd.org/getfile/7879c476-eb4f-427e-a43b-01ecc1cc716e/Repeat-Offens e-Data-Reported-by-States-FINAL.aspx
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