Drunken-driving deaths in the United States are on the rise, and it’s a disturbing trend. Shockingly, someone is killed or injured by a drunken driver every 79 seconds. The impact of these incidents on families and communities is catastrophic. Unfortunately, I personally experienced this tragedy when I lost my parents in a fatal car crash on my birthday seven years ago.
This was not an accident. The other driver had consumed a whole bottle of Jack Daniels at home before going to a bar and having four more drinks. In a severely intoxicated state, she got behind the wheel and collided head-on with my parents’ car at two in the afternoon in a residential area.
I never imagined that my family would be affected by something like this.
Since the accident, I have dedicated my life to ensuring that no one else has to experience the pain of losing a loved one in such a senseless manner. Impaired driving is a violent and preventable crime that requires action from all levels of government.
On Friday, I will be testifying before the state Assembly’s Transportation Committee. I will speak on behalf of victims and survivors to emphasize the urgent need for investment in innovative solutions to prevent impaired driving.
Mother Against Drunk Driving (MADD), along with other victims and survivors, is urging the Legislature to strengthen the requirement that all convicted drunk drivers have an ignition interlock installed in their vehicles. This technology uses a breathalyzer to detect alcohol and prevents a vehicle from starting if the driver is under the influence. Nationwide, it has already stopped 4.5 million attempts to drunk drive. However, not all convicted drunken drivers are currently required to use ignition interlocks.
This year, Senator Jeremy Cooney and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner introduced legislation that would mandate all convicted drunken drivers to use an ignition interlock for at least 12 months, including 180 days after their license is restored. It would also require drivers to prove compliance with the system for program exit. Although this legislation passed the Senate for the second year in a row, it did not receive consideration in the Assembly.
We are also advocating for New York to lower the threshold for illegal blood-alcohol content for drivers from .08 to .05. When Utah enacted a similar law, they saw a 20% reduction in DWI deaths in its first year. While the .05 legislation did not pass in New York this year, we will continue our efforts in 2024 because lowering this threshold saves lives, prevents injuries, and encourages individuals to find a safe ride home when drinking.
Action is also needed at the federal level. In November 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to establish rules for new vehicle safety equipment that detects and prevents impaired driving. Unlike ignition interlocks, this passive and unobtrusive equipment will be integrated into all new vehicles. These technologies could become mandatory in new cars as early as 2026, but we need faster action on guidelines for car companies.
Since 2019, there has been a 31% increase in deaths caused by drunk driving in the United States. In New York, drunk driving deaths have increased by over 50% during this time. We all have a role to play in ending this crisis. As individuals, we can commit to never driving while impaired and work to shift the cultural mindset not only regarding alcohol but also cannabis and other drugs. It’s essential to always have a plan for a safe ride home before consuming alcohol or drugs. Furthermore, we must urge lawmakers to prioritize road safety in the next legislative session. Together, we can create a future without any more victims of preventable crashes.
Erica Linn of Sleepy Hollow is a member of MADD’s New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania Regional Advisory Board.
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