In January 2019, Rima and Issam Abbas took their three children on a family vacation to Florida. Tragically, on their way home to Michigan, their SUV was hit by a pickup truck driven by an intoxicated driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.306 — nearly four times the legal limit. The crash claimed the lives of the entire Abbas family, as well as the driver.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need for stronger DUI laws by states across the country.
Advocating for Stronger Drunk Driving Laws
In response to incidents like the Abbas family tragedy, legislators, the Abbas family, and organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are pushing for tougher laws.
One key solution they advocate for is the use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs) and advanced alcohol detection technology in vehicles. These devices can prevent individuals from starting their vehicles if they have been drinking.
“MADD has known for a long time that we need technology to step in when people refuse to make the right choice to never drink and drive,” said MADD National President Alex Otte in 2022.
Since 2020, MADD has made strengthening state laws around IIDs a top priority, advocating for widespread adoption of these life-saving devices.
States With the Weakest Drunk Driving Laws
In 2020, MADD released a report card rating each state’s drunk driving laws on a scale from 0 (poor) to 5 (strong). The scores were based on various factors, including the use of ignition interlock devices, sobriety checkpoints, license revocation policies, child endangerment penalties, and consequences for refusing alcohol tests. According to MADD’s report on DUI laws by state, the five states with the weakest drunk driving laws were:
Worst State: Montana
Montana received the lowest score, just 0.5. MADD criticized Montana’s legislature for not taking significant steps to improve its drunk driving laws since it enacted a .08 BAC per se law in 2003, which automatically classifies drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher as intoxicated.
Second Worst: Michigan
Michigan earned the second-lowest rating with a score of 1. While the state has some drunk driving laws in place, MADD pointed to weaknesses in enforcement and a lack of key regulations like mandatory IID installation for all offenders.
Tied for Third to Fifth: South Dakota, Wyoming, and Rhode Island
South Dakota, Wyoming, and Rhode Island each received a score of 1.5. A major reason for these low scores is the lack of all-offender interlock laws in most of these states. Montana, Michigan, South Dakota, and Wyoming do not require all convicted drunk drivers to install an IID in their vehicles. Rhode Island stands out as the only state in this group to have enacted such a law, doing so in 2016.
What Makes an Effective Drunk Driving Law?
States that score well on MADD’s report on DUI laws by state often have comprehensive drunk driving laws, particularly all-offender ignition interlock laws. These regulations require anyone convicted of a DUI to install an IID and use it for a specified period. Furthermore, compliance-based removal laws ensure that drivers must prove they can operate their vehicles sober before the device can be removed.
Currently, 34 states and the District of Columbia require ignition interlock devices for first-time offenders. MADD advocates for even more robust laws, calling for a minimum six-month IID usage period for first-time DUI convictions. According to MADD, ignition interlock devices are one of the most effective ways to prevent drunk driving, reducing repeat offenses by 22%.
How Ignition Interlocks Save Lives
Ignition interlock laws have been shown to significantly reduce drunk driving deaths. For example, since West Virginia introduced an all-offender ignition interlock law, drunk driving deaths have decreased by 33%. Kansas and Arizona have also seen reductions of 34% and 29%, respectively, after implementing similar laws.
At DUI.org, we support MADD’s efforts to promote stronger DUI laws by state and ignition interlocks as proven tools to prevent drunk driving and save lives. If you or a loved one needs help navigating DUI-related requirements like ignition interlock installation or SR-22 insurance filings, contact us today to learn how we can make the process easier for you.
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