There is no denying that drunk driving is a serious problem in America. So serious, in fact, that it accounts for more than 10,000 U.S. deaths each year. To help combat that, the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization (also known as MADD) and several national legislators are working to push through new laws to limit the amount of inebriated people on the road.
This past week, a press release went out highlighting how these groups hope to make this happen. Interestingly, it is believed that technology will be the key. The hope is that, in the near future, all consumer automobiles will include drunk driving prevention systems.
These could include possible breathalyzers and security checks before a car can be turned on to run. According to those close to the initiative, the technology already exists. All that’s needed next is the approval to enact these laws.
MADD National President Helen Witty was quoted in the release. She sounded quite inspired about what may get accomplished and thanked legislators like Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell for their support.
“On behalf of hundreds of thousands of drunk driving victims nationwide, we thank Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky and Representative Debbie Dingell for advancing groundbreaking legislation which calls for installation of advanced drunk driving prevention systems in all passenger vehicles,” Witty said. “We know that companies and suppliers have or are working on these technologies, and we hope they will embrace this legislation in a responsible and rational way to more seriously address drunk driving, the leading cause of highway death. The time to move from the lab to the dealer showroom is here.”
The release goes on to say how the drunk driving vehicle prevention could ultimately operate. Apparently technology also exists that would allow a car to stop or pull over if a person begins drinking (or shows inebriation) after a car is running. The hope would be that any and all risks would get “eliminated.”
It is still unclear how the legislation may ultimately unfold, but Witty and MADD are bringing evidence to make it a more compelling case. Several examples were listed of children, teens and adults who were killed in drunk driving accidents over the past year. And they certainly have a point in emphasizing that drunk driving reductions would save U.S. lives.
We’ll make sure to keep you updated on how this movement progresses.
