Florida Considers Inoculation against Drunk Driving

Ignition Interlocks Likely to Drastically Reduce Repeat DUI
Offenses
TAMPA, Fla.--(Business Wire)--It had been a beautiful day for a vacation. "I didn't even bother
to finish unpacking," said Anna Redgate. "I visited with some of the
locals and took the children to the beach. It was blissful...until it
happened."

It was January 1st, 2000....New Year's Day. The family had come to
Florida only 3 days prior, escaping the blustery cold of New England
for the horse show season in Wellington. What had started as a perfect
day ended in unspeakable horror. After a wonderful day at the beach,
and wanting to take advantage of every balmy moment, Anna decided to
take her two young children for a short walk while dinner was in the
oven. Whitaker, age 2 and Grace, 9 months were being pushed across the
Blue Heron Bridge in Palm Beach County in one of those trendy double
joggers. Anna was walking close to the edge, looking down into the
water for Manatees. She was feeling the peace that comes from a mother
nurturing her babies. Then it happened, all so quickly.

Anna heard a noise...a loud crash...then a quick glance over her
shoulder just in time to see a car hurtling toward her and her babies.
In a micro-second, the vehicle was on them. "I felt my body lunge
forward into a sprint. Desperate to get out of the way, I pushed the
children as fast as I could go. In that final moment, I felt the car
come up off the road and along the left side of my body. The stroller
was ripped from my desperate clutches and then everything stopped.
Before me, facing me, were Grace and Whitaker."

"The jogger/stroller showed signs of the impact. Whitaker, who had
been on the side of the traffic, was now pushed up against the bridge
staring at me, stunned. Little Gracie was lying on his lap but somehow
her feet were still facing me. I immediately reached down, unbuckling
her, and scooped her up into my arms. When I held her, all I could see
was her perfect face but I could feel something no human should. My
right hand was inside of her. Her little torso had been torn nearly in
half by the impact."

The driver responsible for that crash was drunk...three times the
legal limit. But even worse; he had a previous arrest for DUI. He was
a repeat DUI offender.

Anna Redgate now spends nearly all of her time speaking out
against drunk driving, working through her own Foundation for Grace as
well as volunteering for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

"Unfortunately, there are too many stories like Anna's", stated
MADD Florida CEO, Donald Murray. "We have a chance this year to pass
life-saving legislation that will mandate the installation of Ignition
Interlock Devices onto the cars of first time DUI offenders. This
legislation will not only save lives, but it could prevent serious
bodily injury as well as thousands and thousands of dollars in
property damage."

Ignition Interlock devices are small, sophisticated instruments
installed into the starting circuit of automobiles. They are about the
size of a cell phone. The driver blows into the device using a special
technique that discourages others who have not been trained, from
performing the procedure. Some devices also come equipped with a
camera that takes a photo of the person initiating the test. In just a
few seconds, the device determines if the operator is drunk or sober,
based on pre-programmed parameters. The vehicle starts as normal for a
sober driver and will not start for a drunk driver. Periodic re-tests
are required and the device captures and reports the data associated
with attempts made to start the vehicle while intoxicated.

"The offenders absorb all costs for the installation and operation
of these devices...not the taxpayers. There is virtually no down side
and with the passage of this bill, we effectively move toward the
prevention of repeat DUI offenses. It's an absolute life-saving bill,"
continued Murray.

"A key benefit of this legislation is that offenders can avoid a
lengthy judicial or administrative license suspension that may
precipitate a job loss or life altering circumstances. With the
installation of an Ignition Interlock Device for first offenders, the
offender is able to drive normally, pursuing his/her daily activities
and career - BUT the public is free from further harm", stated MADD's
Executive Director in Palm Beach County, Fred Kadin. "The tragedy with
Gracie here in Palm Beach County could have been avoided had the
offender's vehicle been equipped with an Ignition Interlock Device."

"What happened to little Grace that day...what happened to me, is
now preventable thanks to this technology," said Redgate. "Passage of
Florida's Senate Bill 456 can inoculate against this senseless
tragedy. I'm asking everyone to please write a short letter to your
State Senator and your State Representative urging them to support
this Ignition Interlock legislation," continued Ms. Redgate. "We truly
do have the power to save lives with this bill."

MADD Florida Extends their deepest appreciation to Senator Stephen
Wise and Representative David Simmons for their sponsorship of this
bill.

MADD Florida, Tampa
Donald Murray, MADD Florida State Executive Director
813-935-2676 Office or 813-458-1015 Cell
don.murray@madd.org

Copyright Business Wire 2007