News Releases for November 2002
November 22, 2002
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Hoeven Concerned About MADD Ranking
Cites 18 Percent Reduction in Alcohol Related Accidents This Year
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today said he is concerned about a recent Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) ranking for the year 2001, and noted that the state has made progress since the initial data for the MADD report was gathered. According to Hoeven, alcohol-related traffic accidents on North Dakota highways are down 18 percent in 2002, and fatalities are down 9 percent.
“Because we have children ourselves, Mikey and I have long been concerned about drinking and driving,” Hoeven said. “We have both been working hard to address the issue in a positive way, and I’m pleased that we are beginning to see tangible results.”
Within the past year Hoeven has directed the state Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement aggressive new measures to curb drinking and driving in the state. These include:
- A highly visible sobriety checkpoint campaign on the state’s roads.
- A widely distributed “Don’t Drink and Drive” public awareness campaign.
- In-vehicle cameras and portable breath devices in Highway Patrol vehicles.
- A “Click-it or Ticket” campaign to promote seatbelt usage.
- A Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse with the Attorney General.
In addition, First Lady Mikey Hoeven has led a highly visible statewide campaign to “Keep Children Alcohol Free.”
In addition, the state has implemented a number of administrative measures and criminal sanctions to curb alcohol-related accidents in North Dakota. Just a few of these are:
- Vehicle confiscation.
- License plate confiscation
- Mandatory assessment and treatment
- Mechanism to enforce victims’ rights and victim restitution.
- Enhanced penalties for child endangerment.
- Administrative hearings
- Ignition interlock
This year, Hoeven has directed the DOT to introduce two new measures in the Legislature to address the issue of alcohol-related accidents: a .08 blood alcohol threshold for drivers, and stronger repeat-offender laws.
“MADD does a good job of pointing out where states need to improve, and we have taken these into consideration over the past year,” Hoeven said. “Even one alcohol-related accident is too many, but we are seeing significantly fewer this year, and that is owing to our aggressive new efforts.”
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