In 2014, after a long battle to pass first-time offender ignition interlock legislation in South Carolina, Emma's Law became law. Named after six-year-old Emma Longstreet who was killed by a drunk driver, the new law expands the punishment for all convicted drunk drivers, including first offenders, with a BAC above .15. MADD urges lawmakers to strengthen Emma's Law to require all-convicted drunk drivers with a BAC of .08 and greater to have an interlock installed and utilize ALR to help deter drunk drivers.
335 representing 43.7% of all total traffic deaths, a 3.7% decrease from last year.
For more information on statistics, please contact MADD�s Government Affairs department at email@example.com.
SAMHSA Report to Congress on The Prevention and Reduction of Underage Drinking, May 2011
NOTE: Binge Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion (i.e., at the same time or within a couple hours of each other) on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.
Statutes providing for penalties to be brought against a drunk driver who kills another person through the operation of a motor vehicle, either intentionally or negligently.
Social host laws allow for adults to be held responsible to furnishing alcohol to those under 21 years old
Sobriety checkpoints are an enforcement program that allows officers to stop all or predetermined vehicles to check for sobriety of the drivers.
Primary Belt Law
Statutes which allow for law enforcement to issue a fine or citation on the sole grounds of a vehicle occupant not wearing a safety belt
Mandatory BAC Test for Drivers Who are Killed
Statutes which create mandatory testing for all drivers killed in vehicle crashes.
Mandatory Alcohol Assessment/Treatment
Law that mandates all convicted DUI/DWI offenders undergo an assessment of alcohol abuse problems and participate in required treatment program.
Statutes which allow for a judge or administrative agency to order a convicted drunk driver to operate a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device for a period of time following a conviction for drunk driving
Law that makes DUI/DWI a felony offense based on the number of prior convictions.
DUI Child Endangerment
Statutes which allow for additional penalties for a drunk driving conviction with a child passenger in a vehicle
Administrative License Revocation
Administrative license revocation (ALR) is the removal of a DUI/DWI offender's driver's license at the time of an arrest upon the failure or refusal of a chemical test.
.08 Per Se Law
Law that makes it illegal to operate a motor vehicle at or above .08 Blood Alcohol Concentration.
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By participating, you will help pass legislation to keep our roads safe from drunk driving and to prevent underage drinking.
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