MADD Alabama Announces 2013 Legislative Champion

by Roger Murphy
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MADD ALABAMA ANNOUNCES 2013 LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS
Representative Farley and Senator Holtzclaw Recognized for Authoring Drunk Driving Legislation

 

maddMONTGOMERY-Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) today announced its “2013 Legislative Champions” and recognized Representative Allen Farley (R-McCalla) and Senator Bill Holtzclaw              (R-Madison) for their leadership within the Alabama Legislature to stop drunk driving.

“MADD thanks Representative Farley and Senator Holtzclaw for their tireless work and commitment to

Representative Allen Farley

Representative Allen Farley

advancing MADD’s mission in Alabama.  MADD supports expanding the use of ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers as this DUI countermeasure has been key in saving lives on the nation’s roads,” said MADD Alabama volunteer and former National Board Member Glenda Richardson.

In 2013, Representative Farley and Senator Holtzclaw authored HB 477 and SB 401 to help implement Alabama’s 2011 ignition interlock law. This legislation, that will incentivize the use of ignition interlocks for all first time offenders with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 to .14, is currently being discussed as part of an interim study session for 2014. In 2011, Alabama became the last state to enact an ignition interlock law.

Senator Bill Holtzclaw

Senator Bill Holtzclaw

“As legislators, a lot of bills come across our desks, but rarely is there an opportunity to sponsor legislation that is all but guaranteed to save lives,” said Senator Bill Holtzclaw. “I am glad to partner with MADD and I thank them for taking such a proactive role with the use of ignition interlocks. Tragically, a five year old boy was killed in my district a few years back because of a drunk driver and I will not stop fighting to stop this preventable crime.”

“As a former Assistant Sheriff and volunteer in a substance abuse recovery program, I know the irrevocable damage alcohol abuse can do to families, especially those whose loved ones are killed by drunk drivers,” said Representative Allen Farley. “This is a preventable crime, and I feel that ignition interlocks are a proven way to save lives and heal harmful habits.  I want to thank MADD for the honor of this award, but I also thank my colleagues for keeping this important issue at the forefront of the legislative agenda,” said continued Farley.

“MADD applauds and is grateful to Representative Farley and Senator Holtzclaw for authoring legislation improving Alabama’s drunk smart startdriving law.  MADD looks forward to the 2014 session so we can advance legislation implementing Alabama’s ignition interlock program and requiring these devices for any DUI offender who drives during a license suspension,” said MADD National President Jan Withers.

On Thursday, November 21, 2013, MADD staff and volunteers will be presenting Representative Farley and Senator Holtzclaw with their certificates to thank them for their commitment to save lives in Alabama.

eliminate drunk drivingA major portion of MADD’s advocacy efforts across the Nation originates from the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® that was launched in 2006. A key component of the Campaign calls for laws requiring, or highly incentivizing, ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers like HB 477 and SB 401 authored by Senator Holtzclaw and Representative Farley.  Prior to the Campaign, only one state (New Mexico), required ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Today, 20 states require or highly maddincentivize the use of ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

For more information on ignition interlocks, please visit www.madd.org/interlock.

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end this danger on America’s roads. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every 8.6 minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP.  Learn more atwww.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.

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