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Last updated on Tuesday, November 7, 2017
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has named two Indiana “2017 Legislators of the Year” for their tireless work to help eliminate the 100 percent preventable crime of drunk driving.
Senator Eric Koch and Representative John Young sponsored SB 479, which enhances the penalty for OWI causing death if the driver is a habitual traffic violator and allows for separate counts to be charged for each victim in the car on leaving the scene crashes.
"MADD is grateful to Senator Koch and Representative Young for championing legislation that reflects the serious and devastating impact of the violent crime of drunk driving. Together, MADD and committed legislators like Senator Koch and Representative Young will put an end to these horrible tragedies."
In all, MADD recognized 42 lawmakers for their commitment to saving lives. For the full list, visit madd.org.
Many of the 2017 Legislators of the Year have played a major role in MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which was launched in 2006. A key component of the Campaign calls for the passage of all-offender interlock laws, which require the use of an ignition interlock for any convicted drunk driver who seeks driving privileges during a license suspension period. Prior to the Campaign, only one state -- New Mexico -- had an all-offender interlock law. Today, 30 states and Washington D.C. have enacted all-offender interlock laws.
Other components of MADD's Campaign include supporting high-visibility law enforcement, such as sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, advocating for development of the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS), which is an advanced vehicle technology to passively detect alcohol on a driver's breath, and supporting deployment of fully autonomous vehicles.
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 end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 350,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.
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