It Is Vitally Important to Prevent Further Drunk Driving Deaths and Serious Injuries
Sep 29, 2021
Denville, NJ (Law Firm Newswire) September 29, 2021 – The Todd J. Leonard Law Firm is adamant that preventing further drunk driving deaths and serious injuries is crucial. There are too many drunk driving deaths in New Jersey and across the nation. “Drunk driving deaths, and their prevention, is as important today as it was in the past,” added Todd J. Leonard, Esq.
The Todd J. Leonard Law Firm supports Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and their drive to pass the HALT Act (Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate Drunk Driving), House bill (HR 2138), and the RIDE Act (Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone) in the Senate (H. R. 888). These bills would make it mandatory for all new cars to have drunk driving prevention technology installed, also known as Ignition Interlock Devices.
“Every day, 28 people die in drunk driving crashes in the United States – that’s one person every 52 minutes. In 2019, 10,142 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes on our nation’s roads. And approximately three hundred thousand more were seriously injured,” said Rana Abbas Taylor, Survivor/Advocate, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), while testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee – April 27, 2021.
Some say that putting an alcohol monitor in all cars is an invasion of people’s right to privacy. Not all people drink. Not all people drink and drive. “While we recognize that having a monitoring system in your car can be considered by some as intrusive, we strongly believe the benefits far outweigh any concerns,” stated Mr. Leonard. “This type of system can save many thousands of lives every year and prevent countless tragedies.”
Suspected drunk drivers have also been flagged down and pulled over by law enforcement who discover the intoxicated driver is using another person’s vehicle because it does not have a monitoring system. Trying to circumvent the law is a serious matter, particularly when it comes to driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Having a monitoring system in all vehicles would prevent this kind of behavior. “We feel strongly that an alcohol monitoring system should be in ‘every’ vehicle operated on the roadways,” added Leonard.
Should the bills be passed into law, there have been concerns expressed about the expense of installing such technology in vehicles. This is not an issue as Mr. Leonard states, “Motorists already pay for surcharges, and we do not anticipate this type of technology to be very expensive.” Technology that saves lives is worth every cent it may cost.
The controversial devices depend on the driver blowing into a mouthpiece to test their Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC), not to be confused with Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). If the reading is over the allowed level, the engine does not start.
Under a law passed in New Jersey in 2019, ignition interlock devices are installed in all New Jersey vehicles belonging to drivers convicted of DWI, even for a first offense. This technology is already available in cars. All new vehicles include an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) which works with sensors operating outside the car.
Its most common use is for emergency braking, blind-spot warnings, and lane assist, but it can be programmed to detect irregular/negligent driving. The existing hardware is present on new vehicles. Adding the necessary software to prevent drunk driving costs nothing.
Todd J. Leonard Law Firm
Our law firm believes it is vitally important to keep all motorists safe, and this approach to preventing drunk driving reduces fatal and life-altering drunk driving accidents. We feel strongly that this technology should not be just for new vehicles, but for all vehicles, no matter the make or model.
If you have been seriously injured, or sadly, lost a loved one in a New Jersey drunk driving accident, contact the dedicated New Jersey attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm to discuss your case. Our New Jersey personal injury attorneys have over 30 years of experience aggressively representing seriously injured clients and their families in all types of claims, including New Jersey wrongful death cases. We have successfully served thousands of clients, recovering over $100 million on their behalf. The firm’s founder, attorney Todd Leonard, has devoted his entire legal career to helping his clients recover the compensation they need and deserve from the parties responsible for their injuries. To learn more about how we can help you pursue a compensation claim, give us a call today at (973) 920-7900 to request a free and confidential consultation. There is no risk in calling because we never charge a fee unless we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. We have offices conveniently located in Denville and Morristown.
Todd J. Leonard Law Firm
Denville Office
3010 NJ-10
Denville, NJ 07834
(973) 920-7900
https://www.lawleonard.com
Morristown Office
5 Maple Ave., #2
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 842-0935
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