Help MADD and The Andrew McMorris Foundation End Impaired Driving in New York State
New York State residents: MADD and AMF need your help to pass three bills that will help stop impaired driving in our state. See below for the bill names and information, plus an explanation from MADD about the details of each bill and why they support each one.
Alisa and Arianna McMorris in Albany to share support about the legislation with local lawmakers.
Why does MADD need your help? Drunk driving increased during the pandemic. From 2019 to 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving deaths increased from 256 to 283—an 11% increase! Lawmakers must advance DWI reforms to ensure New York roadways are safe for all residents. Below is more information on the proposals. Please email your lawmakers in support of these lifesaving measure by clicking here - it will take less than 30 seconds of your time.
New York State 2022 Legislation that the Andrew McMorris Foundation Supports:
1. Assembly Bill 9554 to help stop drug-impaired driving
Assembly Bill 9554 ensures the enforcement, prosecution and adjudication of Driving Under the Influence of Drug laws. Assembly Bill 9554 gives Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) the resources necessary to determine if a driver is impaired by drugs. A DRE evaluation helps to insure that drivers who are impaired by cannabis and drugs are charged as New York State law requires. Click here for MADD’s detailed explanation of this bill.
2. Assembly Bill 1325 and Senate Bill 6598 to improve the ignition interlock law
In November 2009, New York became one of the first states to require ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers and one of a handful to make DWI with a child passenger in a vehicle a felony offense. Sadly, loopholes exist in the ignition interlock law which allow drunk drivers to avoid this lifesaving device. This legislation fixes these loopholes. Click here for more information from MADD about this bill.
3. Assembly Bill 7197 and Senate Bill 131 creating a .05 BAC law
The goal of making .05 BAC the illegal level to drive on New York roadway is to deter people from driving after drinking thereby reduces alcohol-related deaths from 5 to 18 percent. Click here for more information from MADD and their statement of support on this bill.