FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2021
CONTACT: Pete Daniels / pdaniels@saferoads.org / 301-442-2249 (C)
Statement in support of the Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone Act (RIDE Act) of 2021
Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates):
“We applaud Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Rick Scott (R-FL) for their leadership and dedication to curb impaired driving by introducing the RIDE Act. This bipartisan legislation answers the urgent call for innovative solutions to meaningfully reduce the more than 10,000 deaths caused by drunk driving each year. Ensuring that verified technology which can passively detect impairment and prevent driving is standard in new cars will prevent the lifelong suffering experienced by victims and their families. I want to thank MADD for their heroic and tireless efforts to end this plague on our roadways. Inexplicably, millions of people continue to make the irresponsible, imprudent and often deadly decision to drive impaired every year despite the well-known dangers. We urge Congress to bring this legislation across the finish line to harness the capacities of technology and end this lethal behavior.”
Deanna Wathington, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Executive Board Chair, American Public Health Association and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Board of Directors Member:
“Just as doctors diagnose diseases and implement proven treatments, the RIDE Act pinpoints the cause of approximately 30 percent of traffic fatalities and requires a technological solution. It takes the crucial and commonsense step of directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to require passive impaired driving prevention technology in new vehicles. By developing a minimum performance standard, the DOT will ensure that this lifesaving innovation functions as needed and ensures that its benefits will be experienced equitably.” NOTE: To read Dr. Wathington’s full remarks at a press conference introducing the RIDE Act CLICK HERE.
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