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New Government Report Confuses Dangerous Drunk Driving with Legal Drinking and Driving
NHTSA Survey Uses Unreliable, Self-Reported Data to Lay Groundwork for Anti-Alcohol LawsAugust 26, 2010
WASHINGTON – Today the American Beverage Institute (ABI), a restaurant trade association, criticized a new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report on ‘drinking and driving.’
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Downgraded to a ‘D’ by Charity Rating Guide
Poor Fundraising Practices and Too Little Focus on Victim Services Earn MADD Low GradeJuly 26, 2010
WASHINGTON – The American Institute of Philanthropy’s (AIP) Charity Rating Guide & Watchdog Report has downgraded Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to a “D” rating on a A-F scale in its August 2010 report.
Restaurant Group to Sen. Schumer: Alcohol Detectors Don’t Belong in All Cars
July 8, 2010WASHINGTON – Today the American Beverage Institute (ABI), which represents over 8,000 American restaurants including over 230 in New York, criticized Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) for driving a movement to mandate alcohol detection devices in all cars.
In the News
Restaurant group say all cars don't need alcohol detectors
The HillMay 26, 2010
A restaurant industry group voiced its opposition Wednesday to Rep. John Sarbanes' (D-Md.) push to mandate alcohol detection devices in all cars.
Md., Va. consider ignition breathalyzers for first offense
Washington PostMarch 2, 2010
The movement to rid the roads of drunk drivers is nearing a watershed as states increasingly mandate the use of ignition breathalyzers for first-time offenders. The political will to require their use will be tested this week in Richmond and in Annapolis, when lawmakers consider following the lead of 12 other states where a first conviction results in mandatory use. Ten other states are debating whether to take the same step.
Should All Convicted Drunken Drivers Have Alcohol-Detection Devices in Their Cars?
ABC NewsOctober 14, 2009
This week California became one of the few states in the nation to require some of its first-time drunken driving offenders to install alcohol detection technology in their cars, a move advocates for the devices hope will spread to the rest of the country.
Letters to the Editor & Op-Eds
Big brother in the backseat
By: Sarah LongwellThe Hill
August 31, 2010
It's classic bait and switch. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) claims that his ROADS SAFE Act—which authorizes a $60 million taxpayer investment in a government program to further develop sophisticated in-vehicle technology that would keep a car from starting if the driver’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level was above a pre-set limit—is all about stopping drunk drivers. This sounds like an excellent idea. After all, who doesn’t want to get dangerous drunk drivers off the road? That’s the bait. Here’s the switch: This taxpayer-funded federal program, known as DADSS (Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety), is actually developing alcohol detection technology to come as standard equipment in all cars.
Give judges discretion in drunk-driving cases
Washington PostApril 8, 2010
The Post’s devotion to mandatory minimum sentences in DUI cases is puzzling [“Coddling drunk drivers,” editorial, March 30], considering that a week earlier its editorial board argued against mandatory minimums for crack cocaine possession, praising a new bill for giving “judges a greater degree of discretion” in sentencing low-level drug offenders [“Fairness in sentencing,” editorial, March 23].
MADD's interlock proposal lumps all drinkers in same category
TennesseanFebruary 18, 2010
This week, Mothers Against Drink Driving (MADD) voiced support for a bill to require ignition interlocks for all drunken driving offenders in Tennessee. And while at first glance it might seem like a good way to get drunks off the road, readers should know that there is an important argument to be made against the mandatory use of these devices in the cars of all offenders.
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