The Century Council Supports Maryland State Law to Strengthen Drunk Driving Laws and Reduce Alcohol-Related Crashes

10/2/2002

From: Courtney Means of The Century Council 202-637-0077

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 -- The Coalition to Fight Hardcore Drunk Driving comprised of The Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by America's leading distillers, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), continued its commitment to fighting for tougher drunk driving penalties to keep our nation's roads and highways safe by supporting recent legislation in Maryland. Thanks to the support of the General Assembly and Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, key pieces of legislation enacted to toughen penalties for repeat drivers and reduce alcohol related traffic fatalities are now current state law. New law dictates Maryland residents will face license revocation for a year if convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol more than once in a five-year period. Once a driver's license is returned, an ignition lock will be placed in the driver's car. The device is deactivated only when the breath test reflects a legal BAC. Additionally, a driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident can face up to 10 years in prison. The Assembly further strengthened recent legislation by banning all open containers.

"The Century Council has a long history of fighting for legislation to toughen penalties against drivers with a high BAC or repeat offenders. In fact, The Council created the National Hardcore Drunk Driver Project in 1997 to help communities establish a comprehensive means of keeping these most dangerous drivers off our nation's roads and highways. We commend the General Assembly and the Lt. Governor for supporting this important legislation," said Susan Molinari, Chairman, The Century Council. The Century Council's National Hardcore Drunk Driver Project defines hardcore drunk drivers as individuals who drive with a high BAC of .15 or above, who do so repeatedly, as demonstrated by having more than one drunk driving arrest, and who are highly resistant to changing their behavior despite previous sanctions, treatment or education efforts. In fact, research indicates that ignition interlock can reduce recidivism by up to 75 percent after one year. "The Council firmly believes that strengthening current penalties for drunk drivers, such as prescribed by Maryland's recent legislation, is an effective tool in reducing crashes and recidivism," said Molinari.

For more information on The Century Council and its mission, please log onto www.centurycouncil.org.