Lowey Announces Legislation and Proposed Investments to Curb Impaired Driving Ahead of Holiday Weekend
National Safety Council forecasts 380 fatalities on U.S. roads this Memorial Day
The Impaired Driving Repeat Offender Prevention Act requires convicted drunk drivers to submit breath samples before cars will start
Bill to invest $5 million in alcohol detection research will be considered by the House Appropriations Committee in early June
WHITE PLAINS, NY – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17/Westchester-Rockland), Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving advocate Carole Sears were joined by uniformed White Plains police officers to discuss the introduction of legislation to curb drunk driving and urge responsible driving this holiday weekend and throughout the summer.
While tougher laws have helped save lives, drunk driving still kills far too many people across the Lower Hudson Valley. From 2013 to 2017, Westchester and Rockland lost 55 residents to alcohol-impaired driving.
“In addition to warm weather and fun in the pool and at the beach, the summer months also unfortunately bring the 100 deadliest days of the year for drunk driving,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “In 2017, an estimated 10,874 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in the United States. This horrifying statistic is amplified by this truth: drunk driving is 100% preventable. And while drunk driving even once is too many times, we should not allow convicted offenders to repeat those mistakes.”
This week, Congresswoman Lowey introduced the Impaired Driving Repeat Offender Prevention Act, legislation that would require the installation of an ignition interlock device for a minimum of 180 days on each motor vehicle operated by an individual convicted of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence. The device, which requires the driver to submit a breath sample before his car will start, has been successful in curbing repeat drunk driving offenses in many states that are already using ignition interlock devices, including New York.
Congresswoman Lowey is also using her leadership on the House Appropriations Committee to invest in modernizing drunk driving prevention technology through the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) Program. The proposed fiscal year 2020 transportation spending bill includes over $5 million for this critical research and development program.
“Memorial Day weekend marks one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, and while we want all our residents to get out and enjoy, we also want them to play it safe,” said County Executive George Latimer. “I want to thank Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Westchester County Police, and our local law enforcement agencies for their coordinated effort to reduce the number of drunk and drugged driving-related deaths and injuries this weekend, and throughout the summer.”
“As we head into the busy summer travel season and look forward to road trips and get-togethers with family and friends, we need to also remember that safety must remain our biggest priority,” said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach. “Congresswoman Lowey's legislation, the Impaired Driving Repeat Offender Prevention Act, does just that. Representative Lowey's proactive approach is exactly what is needed to keep on top of the problem of impaired driving.”
Congresswoman Lowey with MADD Advocate Carol Sears
“When an incident of impaired driving occurs, its impacts ripple outward and affect not just those involved in the incident, but their families, friends, and community at large,” said White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong. “We need to do everything within our power to curb impaired driving. Congresswoman Lowey's legislation takes a common-sense approach to this problem, and I applaud her for her efforts.”
“MADD thanks Rep. Lowey for her steadfast leadership to help eliminate drunk driving,” said MADD advocate Carole Sears. “Since the introduction of our Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, MADD has worked to pass 33 all offender ignition interlock laws. This legislation will ensure that every state protects all citizens from the 100 percent preventable crime of drunk driving.”
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