Support Kansas DUI legislation!
Below you will see an email that has been sent out to all MADD members. We at Smart Start of Kansas believe in the cause of saving innocent lives in Kansas. Please show your support for the cause by contacting your legislator and letting them know that you want House Bill 2315 to be passed. A bill that has shown in other states to cut drinking and driving deaths by as much as 37%. All you need to do is click the link in the following message to send your support, only takes a minute and could save YOUR life.
Dear Friend,
In 2007, 114 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Kansas. This accounts for over 27 percent of total traffic fatalities statewide. Countless more people were injured.
Fortunately, there is a technology that has the potential to eliminate these preventable deaths and injuries -- the ignition interlock. These sophisticated devices can prevent a vehicle from being driven by a drunk driver. If they are used correctly -- in concert with treatment, in addition to hard license suspensions and in the vehicles until they are no longer needed -- they can stop repeat offenses.
On March 4, the House Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 2315 which would require interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Your voice and support is needed to urge Members of the House Judiciary Committee to vote in favor of this lifesaving legislation. The committee may be voting on the legislation as soon as this week.
People who have previous drunk driving convictions make up approximately one-third of the drunk driving problem in America. And first time offender doesn’t mean first time driving drunk. Studies have shown the average first-time drunk driving arrestee has driven drunk 87 times before, and those numbers are conservative estimates. That means a first-time arrestee has had 87 chances to kill or injure someone.
Suspending a drunk driver’s license isn’t enough. More than half of those convicted of drunk driving continue to drive on a suspended license. And there is nothing in place to prevent them from driving drunk again.
Studies have shown that ignition interlocks can decrease repeat offenses by 64 percent. Current technology is here and can reverse this trend, but the laws haven't caught up to the technology. We need strong laws making interlocks mandatory for ALL convicted DUI offenders.
Please click here to contact House Judiciary Committee members to urge their support of HB 2315 requiring interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers in Kansas.
MADD, 511 E. John Carpenter Frwy. #700, Irving, TX 75062