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Washington Breathalyzer Bill Blows Drunk Driving Fight Off Course

American Beverage Institute Says MADD’s Solutions Don’t Address The Real Drunk Driving Problem
January 24, 2008

WASHINGTON – Two bills before the Washington state legislature – one mandating breathalyzers be installed in cars of first-time offenders and the second promoting the use of sobriety checkpoints – were denounced today by the American Beverage Institute (ABI).

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) participated in a press conference today in Olympia, Washington, in support of both measures, claiming they would lead to a reduction in alcohol-related fatalities in the state. Both bills, however, fail to target the high-blood alcohol content (BAC) drivers and repeat offenders who are the core of today’s drunk driving problem.

“By calling for increased roadblocks and mandating breathalyzers for first time offenders, regardless of their BAC level, MADD is ignoring the root cause of today’s drunk driving problem—hard core alcohol abusers,” said ABI spokeswoman Sarah Longwell.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that the average BAC of a drunk driver in a fatal car crash is 0.19% -- more than twice the legal limit. Additionally, a NHTSA administrator has said that today’s problem is “by far and away” made up of “those who have alcohol use disorders.” MADD itself has made similar statements, saying that the drunk driving problem has been reduced to “a hard core of alcoholics who do not respond to public appeal.”

Yet the bills being proposed in Washington fail to target this dangerous population and instead will inconvenience all driving adults with sobriety checkpoints and force first-time DUI offenders, even those just one sip over the legal limit, to install breathalyzers in their cars.

“Neither of these bills will help solve the drunk driving problem in Washington state,” said Longwell, “because they aren’t targeting the right people.” The American Beverage Institute is an association of restaurants committed to the responsible serving of adult beverages. To learn more visit: www.AmericanBeverageInstitute.com. For further information or to arrange an interview please call Tim Miller at (202) 463-7110.