A FUTURE without victims of drunk driving crashes.
In 2006, the Campaign boldly called for the development of new in-vehicle technologies that could stop a drunk driver from operating the vehicle. While just a concept when the Campaign began, today the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety, or DADSS, is a public- private partnership between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety and is entering Phase III. NHTSA Administrator David Strickland has called this project the “moon shot” for this generation to save lives on the highway. NHTSA recently announced a five-year extension of the DADSS program, which will carry it until 2018. If DADSS is successful, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that 7,000 lives could be saved each year. A test vehicle with both breath-based and touch-based technology, is expected to be unveiled in the middle of 2014.
Congressional approval for the Campaign:
The federal government has been an active supporter of MADD’s Campaign. When Congress passed and the president signed Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), it fully codified the Campaign. Included in this landmark legislation was $29 million for three annual crackdowns including Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Also included was a new $20 million per year incentive grant program for states that pass all- offender interlock laws. Andfinally, Congress authorized the DADSS program for over $5 million per year. At a time when Congress often disagrees, it did agree that eliminating drunk driving is a national priority and has approved funds to do just that with $50 million per year to support Campaign initiatives outlined in this report and much more to fight drunk driving.
MADD’s message has been consistent, urging people not to drink and drive. Today, while many are listening, not enough people are taking personal responsibility and initiative.
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