Alcohol-Related Traffic Deaths Highest In 15 Years
May 25, 2007
MADD Calls Upon Congress to Hold Immediate Hearings to Address Proven Solutions
and for Mandatory Alcohol Ignition Interlocks for All Convicted Drunk Drivers
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is deeply saddened to learn that alcohol-related traffic
deaths are at an all time high since 1992 and is asking the country to commit to the elimination
of drunk driving.
According to NHTSA's preliminary Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data, alcohol-related
traffic fatalities are up to 17,941 for 2006 versus 17,525 for 2005, representing a 2.4
percent increase. Fatalities involving a driver with a .08 BAC or higher rose from 13,613
in 2005 to 13,990 in 2006, representing a 2.8 percent increase. At the same time, overall
traffic fatalities are down slightly by 0.3 percent.
MADD is calling upon Congress to schedule immediate hearings and develop a plan of action
that is built upon proven solutions. MADD's National Board of Directors will meet with congressional
safety leaders on June 7 to discuss its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and to lobby
for an increased focus on drunk driving. As U. S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters stated
in a press conference this afternoon, MADD will work closely with the Department of Transportation
and Governors across the country to reverse these numbers.
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