MADD announces Georgia Legislator of the Year

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has named Georgia Representative Chuck Efstration  “2019 Legislator of the Year” for his tireless work to help eliminate the 100 percent preventable crime of drunk driving.  Efstration held hearings this legislative session to close loopholes in Georgia’s implied consent refusal law to ensure that drivers who refuse chemical tests are held accountable. Efstration also worked to improve the state’s ignition interlock law.  “MADD is grateful for Representative Efstration’s leadership and commitment to help end the tragedies caused by drunk driving, which remains the deadliest threat on our nation’s roads,” said Denise Blake, executive director of MADD Georgia. “I am honored to be recognized as a Legislator of the Year,” Efstration said. “Each year, MADD provides tireless advocacy for a future with No More Victims of drunk driving. I am eager to continue working with MADD to protect Georgia families and make our roadways as safe as possible.”  Since 1999, Georgia judges have been required to order an interlock for all repeat offenders for 12 months. As a result of a 2016 law, first-time offenders can get a restricted license for the duration of a four-month license suspension.  MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving calls for ignition interlocks for every drunk driver after the first offense for a period of at least six months. States that have passed similar laws saw drunk driving deaths fall by 16 percent. In addition, ignition interlocks reduce repeat drunk driving offenses.  In all, MADD recognized 45 state lawmakers for their commitment to saving lives. For the full list, visit madd.org.  Like Efstration, many of the 2019 Legislators of the Year have played a major role in MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which was launched in 2006. Prior to the Campaign, only one state — New Mexico — had an all-offender interlock law. This year, Kentucky and New Jersey passed all-offender laws, bringing the total number of states to 34.  Other components of MADD’s Campaign include supporting high-visibility law enforcement, such as sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, advocating for the development of the advanced alcohol detection technology in all new vehicles and taking personal responsibility by always planning ahead for a non-drinking driver when plans include alcohol. Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 350,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Helpline 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.