February 2020 e-newsletter

Legislative Update

As of the writing of this, February 28, 2020, the following are bills that MADD Virginia has followed during the State Legislative Session. As of writing, we are particularly concerned about SB 489. Clicking on the bill number will take you to the Legislative Information System with the most recent actions.

• allow persons to lawfully drive drunk on their own residential property (SB_148); Bill continued to 2021 session. MADD VA Does NOT Support
  
  
• allow persons convicted of first time DUI (with less than.15 BAC) to be afforded a restricted license with an ignition interlock (for 12 months) and no restrictions as to where said offender drives (SB 439); MADD Supports
  
  
• allows final disposition of a DUI to be deferred, reduced or dismissed (SB 489) MADD VA Does NOT Support

Read the rest here on our blog

MADD’s New Law Enforcement Newsletter

MADD National now has a newsletter for law enforcement. You can see the Inaugural issue here and sign up to receive it here.

 

Impaired Driving Stories in the News

1/26/20 Harry Dorfe Jr, 55, Chesapeake
1/26/20 Yancy Valazquez, 25, Franklin County
2/14/20 Michael Wayne Day, 57, Lee County
2/21/20 Greggory Odell Simmons, Jr., 24, Fauquier County

Alcohol Impaired Drivers and Pedestrians Cited in 30 year High Increase in Pedestrian Deaths

“An estimated 33% of fatal pedestrian crashes involved a pedestrian with a [blood alcohol concentration] of 0.08% or higher, and an estimated 16% of drivers involved in these crashes had a BAC of 0.08% or higher,” the report said. “Pedestrian safety can be addressed by conducting high-visibility impaired driving enforcement in areas with robust nighttime pedestrian activity.” Read more in the Washington Post here.

 

Calendar

4/4/2020 Walk Like MADD - Richmond COME JOIN US! Teams and walkers needed! Contact cristi.cousins@madd.org.

 

SNEAKER DONATION!!! Did you know that your school, business, church, etc. can collect used sneakers to raise money for MADD in VA?? For more information, contact Christopher.konschak@madd.org

 

5/16/2020 Walk Like MADD - Leesburg COME JOIN US! Teams and Walkers needed! Contact maddloudoun@aol.com