The Century Council Supports Florida State Law to Toughen
Penalties Against Drunk Driving & Repeat Offenders
WASHINGTON, April
19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Century Council, a national not- for-profit organization
dedicated to fighting drunk driving and funded by America's leading
distillers, continued its commitment to fighting for tougher drunk driving
penalties to keep our nation's roads and highways safe by supporting
Florida legislation, HB 1057. The Florida bill, sponsored by Representative
David Simmons, establishes tougher penalties, including vehicle sanctions,
for repeat offenders and those who refuse to submit to a chemical test.
HB 1057 also mandates that repeat offenders who qualify for a restricted
license have interlocks installed on their vehicles. Research indicates
that ignition interlocks can be highly effective in reducing recidivism;
reducing recidivism rates by 62% from 75% after one year.
``The Century Council
has a long history of fighting for legislation to toughen penalties
against drivers with a high BAC or repeat offenders. In fact, The Council
created the National Hardcore Drunk Driver Project in 1997 to help communities
establish a comprehensive means of keeping these most dangerous drivers
off our nation's roads and highways. We commend the Florida legislature
for passing this bill and we hope that HB 1057 will be signed by Governor
Bush,'' said Susan Molinari, Chairman, The Century Council. The Century
Council's National Hardcore Drunk Driver Project defines hardcore drunk
drivers as individuals who drive with a high BAC of .15 or above, who
do so repeatedly, as demonstrated by having more than one drunk driving
arrest, and who are highly resistant to changing their behavior despite
previous sanctions, treatment or education efforts. Drivers with a BAC
of .15 or above are 385 times more likely to be involved in an alcohol-related
traffic fatality than a non-drinking driver. ``The Council firmly believes
that license revocations that are swiftly applied and appropriately
severe, such as those prescribed by HB 1057, are an effective tool in
reducing crashes and recidivism,'' said Molinari.
For more information
on The Century Council and its mission, please log onto http://www.centurycouncil.org
.
SOURCE: The Century
Council
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