[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         AMERICANS PUSH FOR RENEWED FIGHT AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING

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                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, Congress has made good progress over the 
past 20 years in combating drunk driving, culminating when we passed 
legislation creating a national .08 blood alcohol content level in 
2000. I am pleased that New York recently passed .08, which will save 
500-600 lives in the U.S. annually when it is adopted by all states. 
All but a handful of states have .08 laws on the books--a testament to 
the effectiveness of the sanction.
  Despite this progress, a disturbing complacency about drunk driving 
seems to have settled upon the nation. In 2002, alcohol-related 
fatalities rose for the third year in a row, and now account for well 
over 40 percent of all traffic fatalities. Last year, drunk driving 
took nearly 18,000 lives. Public policy experts are now beginning to 
grasp the full economic costs of drunk driving. When one factors health 
care costs, lost work time, collision repairs, and insurance, the price 
tag exceeds $200 million annually.
  Almost 6 years ago, a constituent, Burton Greene, was killed by a 
repeat offender with a .18 blood alcohol content. Mr. Greene's death 
inspired me to introduce legislation requiring tougher penalties for 
repeat offenders and high-BAC drivers.
  About one-third of all drunk drivers are repeat offenders. 
Unfortunately, the lack of a national minimum standard for punishing 
repeat offenders and high-BAC drivers has created an easily 
exploitable, unwieldy patchwork of laws that varies from state to 
state. My legislation would require states to pass laws that employ a 
comprehensive approach to fighting drunk driving, including license 
restrictions, effective vehicle sanctions, treatment programs, ignition 
interlocks, fines, and imprisonment. This comprehensive system of 
penalties builds on the recommendations of numerous studies, as well as 
measures proven to be effective on the state and local level.
  I am proud that Good Housekeeping magazine, which has always tackled 
the leading issues of the day, has become a partner in the effort to 
combat drunk driving. An article about Brigid Kelly, a young woman 
killed by an impaired driver with a suspended license, appeared in the 
July 2003 issue of the magazine. Brigid's senseless death, which has 
brought untold grief to her family and friends, is a wake up call to 
the nation and a powerful reminder of the stakes in the battle against 
drunk driving.
  I was also touched by the response to the article. Over 6,000 readers 
took the time to write Good Housekeeping in support of national minimum 
standards for punishing repeat offenders. This outpouring leaves no 
doubt about where Americans stand on tougher penalties for chronic 
drunk drivers.
  More than 40 people die daily from drunk driving. We should do all we 
can to prevent such tragedies. I encourage my colleagues to listen to 
the voices of Good Housekeeping's readers and support swift passage of 
the Burton Greene bill.

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