Alliance Joins Leading Advocates Against Impaired Driving in Supporting Legislation
ARLINGTON, VA. –The National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID) is reaffirming its commitment to eliminating impaired driving by joining leading organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), Noah on Patrol, and Responsibility.org in urging Maryland lawmakers to pass legislation broadening the use of ignition interlock devices to protect drivers and passengers on Maryland’s roads.
“Impaired driving accounts for nearly one in three traffic fatalities in the United States annually, and while Noah’s Law has proven to be effective since its passage, implementing this expanded legislation will save more lives on Maryland roads,” said Darrin T. Grondel, Director of NASID and VP of Traffic Safety & Government Relations of Responsibility.org. “NASID remains committed to eliminating impaired driving, and we urge state lawmakers to pass this meaningful, life-saving legislation.”
House Bill 557 and Senate Bill 653 would strengthen Noah’s Law, passed in Maryland in 2016 in honor of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta. In 2015, Leotta died after being hit by an impaired driver while working on his department’s annual Holiday Alcohol Task Force.
Noah’s law requires convicted DUI offenders in Maryland to install an ignition interlock device. In Maryland, 14,170 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 2020. According to the Maryland Department of Legislative Services Fiscal and Policy Note, during this time nearly 6,000 first-time DUI offenders were spared a DUI conviction by receiving probation before judgment and therefore were not required to install a lifesaving ignition interlock device on their vehicle. Studies show that the best way to keep our roads safe is to require an ignition interlock after the first offense. Passage of HB 557 and SB 653 would require interlocks for the individuals who receive probation before judgment, helping to change behaviors, prevent recidivism, and keep everyone on the roads in Maryland safe.
According to the CDC, alcohol-impaired drivers got behind the wheel about 147 million times in 2018 and 12.6 million Americans reported driving under the influence of marijuana or other illicit drugs in 2018.
NASID works to eliminate all forms of impaired driving, especially multiple substance impaired driving, through DUI system reform, DUI detection, data improvements, and technology to effectively fight impaired driving. For more information, please visit NASID.org.
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About NASID
The National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID), established by Responsibility.org and composed of Members and Allied members, works to eliminate all forms of impaired driving, especially multiple substance-impaired driving, through DUI system reform, DUI detection, data improvements, and technology to effectively fight impaired driving. Allied Members of NASID are unable to lobby and do not advocate for legislation at the state or federal level. To learn more, please visit NASID.org.
About Responsibility.org Responsibility.org is a national not-for-profit that aims to eliminate drunk driving and work with others to end all impaired driving, eliminate underage drinking, and empowers adults to make a lifetime of responsible alcohol choices as part of a balanced lifestyle. Responsibility.org is funded by the following distillers: Bacardi USA, Inc.; Beam Suntory Inc.; Brown-Forman; Campari Group; DIAGEO; Edrington, Mast-Jägermeister US, Inc.; Moët Hennessy USA; Ole Smoky, LLC; Pernod Ricard USA; and William Grant & Sons. For 30 years, Responsibility.org has transformed countless lives through programs that bring individuals, families, and communities together to inspire a lifetime