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Two-thirds of Americans would support the installation of devices that prevent cars from starting if drivers are impaired — assuming such technology is reliable — according to a survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The survey also found that 40 percent of respondents said they would like such devices installed in their own cars if that option was available. Some drunk-driving prevention experts would like to see the so-called ignition-interlock devices installed on all vehicles. About 180,000 of the devices are currently installed in the U.S. (Source: Join Together, 10/8/09)

There have been 23-percent fewer alcohol-related truck crashes per mile in the U.S. since commercial truck drivers were required to submit to alcohol testing beginning in 1995. In fact, the rate of alcohol-related crashes resulting in fatalities is now about the same among commercial truckers as it is among commercial pilots. The rate of fatal crashes per mile traveled for motor carriers has „decreased significantly,“ according to researcher Guohua Li of Columbia University. (Source: Join Together, 10/7/09)

The costs of drinking and driving are all too apparent, with alcohol involved in 41 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2006. In addition to the mortality and morbidity associated with drinking and driving, the economic impact of alcohol impaired driving is considerable, estimated at $51 billion, with medical costs accounting for 15 percent of that figure. Now a new study from the Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital has found that even minimally injured alcohol-impaired drivers account for higher emergency department (ED) costs than other drivers. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/7/09)

The state of New Mexico was within its rights to prevent US Airways from serving alcohol on flights to the state after a drunken passenger was involved in a fatal auto crash, a federal judge has ruled. (Source: Join Together, 10/5/09)

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) hat einen Vertrag abgeschlossen, eine neue Markenlinie von alkoholfreien Getränken zu verkaufen: MADD Virgin Drinks. Es sind alkoholfreie Biere, Weine, Mojitos, Margaritas und Pina Coladas. Ein Teil der Gewinne wird in MADD’s Präventions-Arbeit zu Alkohol am Steuer einfliessen. MADD-Präsidentin Laura Dean-Mooney sagte, die Produkte würden auch die Mission von MADD unterstützen, „das grosse Geschmackserlebnis, das nötig ist, damit sich die Gäste als Teil der Party fühlen können – aber ohne Alkohol“ zur Verfügung zu stellen. (Quelle: Join Together, 24.9.09)

USA: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is getting into the beverage business, inking a deal to sell a new line of nonalcoholic MADD Virgin Drinks. The Associated Press reported Sept. 19 that the licensing deal puts the MADD name on a line of nonalcoholic beers and wines as well as virgin mojitos, margaritas, and pina coladas. A portion of the profits will benefit MADD’s work to prevent drunk driving. MADD president Laura Dean-Mooney said the products also support the group’s mission by providing „the great taste needed to make guests feel like they are part of the party — but without the alcohol.“ (Source: Join Together, 9/24/09)

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled four decades ago that police can draw blood from drunk-driving suspects without a warrant, and a federal program is now examining whether police nationwide should be trained to do so. (Source: Join Together, 9/16/09) Comment: In Europe blood tests are done by medical staff.

Mandatory alcohol testing programs for truck and bus drivers have contributed to a significant reduction in alcohol involvement in fatal crashes, according to a new study by researchers at the Mailman School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Based on a study sample of nearly 70,000 motor carrier (heavy trucks and buses) drivers and over 83,000 non-motor-carrier (car) drivers, the estimated net effect attributed to the mandatory alcohol testing programs for drivers of heavy trucks and buses was a 23% reduced risk of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes. (Source: Medical News Today, 9/14/09)

A Canadian man with a long history of drunk driving has been sentenced to life in prison for running down and killing a woman in a wheelchair. A Quebec judge imposed the sentence on Roger Walsh, 57, who struck and killed Anee Khudaverdian, 47, while driving drunk. Walsh had 18 previous convictions for driving while impaired as well as 114 previous convictions on a variety of other offenses. (Source: Join Together, 9/11/09)

HERE are two compelling facts about ignition-interlock devices for preventing drunk driving. One is that these devices are highly effective, despite the logical possibilities for bypassing them. The second is that they are rarely installed in the cars of people who have been known to drive while intoxicated.
People driving while intoxicated still cause about 13,000 deaths a year in the United States. And of the 1.4 million arrests made, one-third involve repeat offenders. The greatest potential of ignition interlocks is to reduce this recidivism. (Source: Harvard World Health News, 9/3/09) New York Times-Opinion, 8/31/09