Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recently released a report rating all 50 states on drunk driving prevention. MADD reviewed legislation and action around ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, child endangerment, license revocation and no-refusal events.

With the MADD grading system, each state receives anywhere from one to five stars based on the laws they have in place. Colorado has a five star rating. Readers may be asking what some of the laws and regulations are that go into the grading scale, and that is what we now intend to explain.

What Do States Do to Reduce Drunk Driving?

Ignition locks make it impossible for someone who has been convicted of drunk driving to be able to start his or her car without blowing into a device that measures his or her blood alcohol level. The car will not start unless the device detects no alcohol is present. Anti-circumvention features prevent a driver from tampering with the device.

Sobriety checkpoints are self-explanatory, but they are not used in all 50 states. Sobriety checkpoints are random, often catching motorists who are drunk driving. Saturation patrols also play a role in catching drunk drivers, and they are especially effective during holidays like New Year’s Day.

License revocation allows an arresting officer to revoke a license if he or she catches someone who is drinking and driving. Drivers who have their license revoked by a police officer have seven days to request a hearing to get it back.

Child endangerment laws make it illegal to drink and drive while a child is present in the vehicle.

No refusal events are programs that law enforcement uses to obtain warrants for potential drunk drivers who have refused a blood alcohol test.

Drunk driving is a criminal action, but it can also become a civil action if a person who has been catastrophically injured in a drunk driving accident comes forward to claim damages. Metier Law Firm is an experienced personal injury firm with a passion for defending those who have been injured by the irresponsible actions of others. Learn more about us by visiting our Facebook or Twitter pages.

Metier Law Firm – Injury Attorneys Serving Clients Nationwide

Learn more about MADD’s study by visiting the website of Channel 9 News.

Did You Know? According to MADD and the NHTSA, drunk driving costs the U.S. $199 billion a year in economic and societal damages.