MADD outraged by ignition compromise talk
MADD has alerted its members and supporters to call House Speaker Michael E. Busch to express their support for passage of a bill requiring ignition interlock devices to be installed on the cars of all persons convicted of drunk driving -- without any of the weakening amendments under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.
Sources in Annapolis report that the committee and its chairman, Del. Joseph Vallario, are inclined to support the bill with a provision requiring installation of the devices for first time offenders only if they are found to have a blood-alcohol level of .12 or .15. Driving with a bloood alcohol level of .08 is grounds for automatic conviction of driving under the influence. MADD has resisted any efforts to define levels of blood alcohol at or around .08 as something less than drunk.
There is by now a well-worn path to the speaker's office for safety advocates and others who object to Vallario's handling of his committee, a well-known graveyard for strong drunk driving bills. Because the speaker appoints committee chairs, he is the one official Vallario has to pay attention to. (Listening to governors is optional.)
The ignition interlock bill is MADD's No. 1 priority for this legislative session. A version without the amendments restricting the requirement to "super-drunks" passed the Senate 44-0.
Comments
Where was MADD when Councilman Sam Moxley almost killed a guy on the side of the road in a government vehicle while driving drunk? When I contacted MADD in 2006 they completely ignored my calls.
MADD is a lobbyist organization that really only cares about themselves otherwise Sam Moxley would have been sunk in 2006. If you are a member of MADD and upset with my comments go back and ask your organizers in Catonsville and Arbutus why you even allow someone like Sam Moxley to serve as your representative.
Posted by: Phillip | April 5, 2010 4:26 PM