Letters

Letters Supporting Assembly Bill (A) 855 and Senate Bill (SB) 1602 to Curb Distracted Driving in New Jersey

 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

These bills will improve safety on New Jersey roads by prohibiting device use while stopped in traffic (S. 1602) and by broadening the current prohibition on drivers’ use of wireless communication devices while operating a motor vehicle to include viewing non-navigational video and content (A. 855).

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Letter Opposing Senate Bill (SB) 331 to Raise Speed Limits on West Virginia Highways

 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Speeding in West Virginia was a contributing factor in 33 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2019, a notably higher proportion than the national average of 26 percent (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)). Excess speed can contribute to both the frequency and severity of motor vehicle crashes and is especially damaging to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

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Letter in Support of Georgia House Bill (HB) 439 to Require the Use of Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) by All Convicted Drunk Drivers

 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Under current law in Georgia, ignition interlocks are required for all repeat offenders for a period of 12 months; however, they are only an option for first-time offenders and first refusals in lieu of a restricted or
suspended license. Information from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) on the effectiveness of IIDs in Georgia notes that over the twelve-year period from December 1, 2006 to December 31, 2018, IIDs
prevented 35,496 attempts to drive drunk in the state including 4,339 attempts in 2018 alone. Expanding the law to include all first-time offenders would improve the effectiveness of the IID program and help prevent
drunk driving.

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Letter Opposing House Bill (HB) 628 to Raise Speed Limits on New Hampshire Roadways

 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

In 2020 despite a steep drop in vehicle miles traveled, 42 percent at its lowest point compared to the average in 2019, the number of traffic fatalities in New Hampshire remained consistent with 2019, indicating a spike in the traffic fatality rate. Reckless driving resulting in deadlier crashes has been identified as a cause, and the lethal combination of a rise in speeding and impaired driving and a decrease in seat belt use has been reported. Clearly, these dangerous issues need to be addressed and certainly should not be exacerbated by increasing speed limits.

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