By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says Rhode Island is one of the worst states in the country for drunk driving prevention.
According to a new nationwide report released Thursday, Rhode Island and Montana lag behind the 48 other states when it comes to implementing measures that decrease the likelihood of folks getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Eric Creamer, Executive Director of MADD Rhode Island, said the Ocean State has made some progress, but still has a long way to go.
He praised the General Assembly for passing an interlock law last year that applies to all repeat and first time offenders with a blood alcohol content (BAC) or .15 or more. The system requires drivers to blow a clean breath sample before their car will start.
“Most states have these laws and it’s been a long time trying to get this type of law passed, but we still lag behind the rest of the nation,” he said. “Many states have an interlock law that applies to all offenders.”
But Creamer said there are four other areas where Rhode Island needs to improve: sobriety check points, no refusal laws, DUI child endangerment laws and administrative license revocation, where the arresting officer immediately confiscates the driver’s license.
“Sobriety checkpoints are the primary ways for law enforcement to protect the public from drunk drivers,” Creamer said. Currently, 38 states and Washington, D.C. use sobriety checkpoints to deter people from driving drunk.
Creamer said MADD plans to work to get stricter penalties put into place.
“I think obviously we want to celebrate the positive steps that we’ve taken…but I certainly want to try to encourage lawmakers to try to move forward with other initiatives as well,” he said.
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