[codeman420]

Some good news here today!! (well considering you dont have a DUI or drive drunk) Arnold signed the bill would require ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers in four counties -- Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare.

I started gaining support sending e-mails and letters for a few months, after a friend of mine was killed by a drunk driver leaving behind his wife and kids this summer. This is his small piece of justice, and I cant help to say, this one is for you man.. miss you.


LINK: http://gov.ca.gov/speech/13593/



From my e-mail to the tracker:


Dear, ****

You made some outstanding news possible. Yesterday, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation that would require ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers in four counties -- Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare.

All together, this program will cover 13 million people -- the largest all-offender ignition interlock program in the country. These interlocks will reduce future drunk driving offenses by two-thirds and hopefully save hundreds of lives.

We couldn’t have done this without your support. It was only because of the emails, pledges, phone calls, and financial support that you and people like you gave for this bill that we got it passed (over the spirited opposition of the alcohol lobby).

There is a great video of the bill signing including Governor Schwarzenegger available online. Our lead volunteer, Mary Klotzbach, spoke at the ceremony. She lost her son, Matt, a third-year student at the Naval Academy who had just gotten engaged, in a crash involving a 25-year-old drunk driver. She was tireless in lobbying the legislature for this important legislation and is an example of the great volunteer leadership we are fortunate to have at MADD.

So thank you for your support. In the coming months, we’ll be keeping you updated about the implementation of this legislation as it helps stop repeat offenses and saves lives.

Thank you,
Laura Dean-Mooney
MADD National President


SOME of you may disagree with the use of ignition interlock systems. Please feel free to post your opinion on this.

[tinctureuser]

My condolences on your loss, my friend. Great work on the legislation - let's make it state wide!

[ShiningSkull]

I'd like to see those devices in all law enforcement vehicles.

[cephas]

Originally Posted by ShiningSkull

I'd like to see those devices in all law enforcement vehicles.

and elected official's personal cars.

If we really want to reduce drunk driving and drunk driving accidents, how about allowing people some other option? How about not letting alcohol advertisements fill every commercial block on prime time? And the advertising pages of most magazines? How about not drinking beers on the white house lawn to solve a problem?

Not saying the locks are bad, just saying they will cost more, and be less effective than projections..and we cannot afford to waste money...

I am also saying we should treat the problem, not the symptom...and this is treating a symptom...it is a decent treatment with good intentions, but nonetheless it does not lead to, or help with, a solution to the problem. Not when there are 18 billion 20 year olds counting down the days till they can go hit the bars....

[codeman420]

Originally Posted by cephas

and elected official's personal cars.

If we really want to reduce drunk driving and drunk driving accidents, how about allowing people some other option? How about not letting alcohol advertisements fill every commercial block on prime time? And the advertising pages of most magazines? How about not drinking beers on the white house lawn to solve a problem?

Not saying the locks are bad, just saying they will cost more, and be less effective than projections..and we cannot afford to waste money...

I am also saying we should treat the problem, not the symptom...and this is treating a symptom...it is a decent treatment with good intentions, but nonetheless it does not lead to, or help with, a solution to the problem. Not when there are 18 billion 20 year olds counting down the days till they can go hit the bars....

That is a excellent point. Its definitely not going to fix the problem, but is a more real time ailment that does need to exist, because whether you are able to change all those things you listed or not, DUI's will continue to exist, and laws should be there to prevent those from doing it again.

I would love to see alcohol commercials, ads, gone... lets do it!

[contract.dude]

id like to see that as a standard when you buy a new car, kinda like a safety on a hand gun. Yeah a inconvenience, but better for the few that cant handle the responsibility of ownership.

congrats on your being part of legislation.

[BrattonBasher]

When I was 16 three of my friends died a block from my house when clipped by a drunk driver. They were trapped in their car and burned to death. I vowed then to never drive drunk or impaired. I am proud that a fellow Tracker was involved in this!

[codeman420]

Originally Posted by BrattonBasher

When I was 16 three of my friends died a block from my house when clipped by a drunk driver. They were trapped in their car and burned to death. I vowed then to never drive drunk or impaired. I am proud that a fellow Tracker was involved in this!

very sorry man. But huge respect for making that vow to yourself. I do admit i love to support the "prop 215 movement" but when it comes to meaningless tragedies, I need to prioritize my time correctly if I can help prevent it. Have been a huge supporter of MADD..i guess we owe it to our friends to make some stance of change, this you and I have done. Much love



And thanks for all the good vibes everyone! Very glad to see fellow trackers digging the good news to :)