November 2004

Northern Virginia MADD Volunteer Receives National Award
In front of an audience of nearly 700 activists representing 48 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, Japan and Guam, Jeff Levy of Alexandria, Virginia, was awarded the Jean Moorhead Duffy Award for Legislative Initiative. Jeff was honored at the MADD National Conference last week in Grapevine, Texas, for his volunteer leadership and endless dedication that helped bring about several of the changes in Virginia's DUI laws.

Through meticulous research, formation of partnerships, and countless meetings with legislators, Levy helped pave the way for 25 new DUI laws that became effective in July 2004. (See the August 2004 MADD Northern Virginia Chapter Newsletter for a summary of these new laws). During Virginia's General Assembly, earlier this year, Mr. Levy was so widely known that Delegates and Senators often referred questions to him and always sought his input on bills that involved drunk driving.

Jeff Levy's hard work and efforts will result in saving countless lives and making a difference.

Letter from the Chapter President

"SOMEDAY"
Growing- up in the post-WWII "baby boom" era as I did, the most exciting day of this time of year was the day that the Sears and Montgomery Ward holiday catalog "wish books" would arrive! (OK, so I also looked forward to the catalogs from Allied Radio and Lafayette Radio Electronics!) It was a time of joyous anticipation and thanksgiving. Of holidays, traveling to see relatives, days off from school… and trying out those new toys!

But, times change. Sears no longer has a holiday catalog. Montgomery Ward is gone (as are the Allied and Lafayette Radio that I so fondly remember). The holidays are still there. But, before we complain about the crowded malls and stores, let's stop and think a minute about what shopping must be like for victims of DWI who are "serving a life sentence" in a wheelchair or are on crutches, because of someone's 'decision' to drive drunk. Imagine not being able to shop in a store as you once had because you now see the world from a height of about four feet and not only have to ask store employees for help, but fellow shoppers as well, because you cannot reach the merchandise. If you see a handicapped shopper in need of assistance, please offer it. Likewise, if you see a car in a handicapped space that isn't displaying a handicapped plate or windshield placard, don't hesitate to notify the police.

As you prepare to settle down to a holiday meal with family or friends, think for a minute about those families where there's an empty chair at the table, perhaps for the first time, due to a drunk driver. Oh yes, I still love to travel at the holidays to be with my family. (My family has been likened to being a cross from the movies "Steel Magnolias" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"!) But, because of careers, marriages, divorces, and such, we're now scattered around a third of the world. (Continued on next page).

President's Letter Continued
And, because of age, there are fewer of us left. It's sad when a family only gets together for a funeral, as was the case the last time we all got together. Let's all resolve to continue our work together within MADD in 2005 to work at keeping those dinner seats filled and family get-togethers joyous!

Remember those "wish books"? Well, among the "things" victims of DWI wish for are laws designed to discourage DWI, to prevent their tragedy from happening to anyone else. In Virginia, MADD has been very successful in the passage of laws to discourage DWI and to keep repeat offenders off the road. The 2004 legislative session was the best yet. Northern Virginia's Jeff Levy deserves a lot of thanks for this. Now, if you have any thoughts about strengthening existing DWI laws, or have seen DWI laws that work in other states, drop Jeff a line in care of the chapter office. Or, e-mail via admin-assist@maddnova.org.

Yes, I still try to take a few days off during the holidays. It's not the ten days I got as a youngster. But, a day or two off still comes in handy! If you are free New Years Eve afternoon, may I interest you in spending a few hours helping out with MADD NOVA's "Red Ribbon Run" in Alexandria? Not only does it help support your chapter and bring attention to the problem of DWI, but in conjunction with First Night Alexandria, shows that you can ring in the new year without enduring a ringing headache in the morning!

Another event coming up is our annual holiday kick-off. What form will it take? Well, as I put pen to legal pad in writing this 32,000' over the mid-Pacific, we're still putting this together. However, I can assure you that it'll be great! As my ancestors used to say… please stay tuned!

So, as we prepare to call 2004 a "wrap", let us pause for a moment. A moment of thanks for all that we have and share. A moment of joy for those who do so much for others. A moment of sorrow to mourn those whom we have lost. And finally, a moment of hope for that which we have yet to accomplish. That is my wish for you this month as I approach the 10th anniversary of the crash that could have so easily taken my life. -John Pinckney-

Unlicensed Drivers: A Major Threat
The ICADTS Reporter recently published an article concerning disqualified/suspended drivers in Australia. The article discussed the crash risk of unlicensed drivers and concluded that disqualified/suspended drivers are four times more likely to be in a crash than licensed drivers.

In Australia, unlicensed drivers represent more than 5% of the drivers involved in fatal crashes. There is a growing body of evidence that links unlicensed driving to a cluster of high-risk behaviors including drunk driving, speeding and failure to wear seat belts. The crashes involving unlicensed drivers tend to be more severe than those involving only licensed drivers, resulting in higher rates of fatality and serious injury.

In Virginia, it is very common for a person arrested for drunk driving to also be cited for driving on a suspended or revoked license. Unfortunately, this citation is often not prosecuted as a part of the plea bargain for a guilty plea to the drunk driving charge.

It is becoming very clear that drivers who ignore the fact that they are not permitted to drive are much more dangerous than licensed drivers. The 2004 changes to the Virginia Code clarify the penalties for driving on a suspended or revoked license and give prosecutors another way to help protect law-abiding citizens. The law is there and now the prosecutors and courts must stop plea bargaining away the serious crime of driving on a revoked or suspended license.

Want to get more involved? Join the MADD Volunteer Email Listing.

The Northern Virginia Chapter of MADD receives many requests from schools, businesses, health fairs and community groups for MADD Information Booths. We need more volunteers to help staff these tables and help spread the word about MADD's programs and services. If you'd like to have your email address added to our booth worker list and be notified of upcoming volunteer opportunities, please email admin-asst@maddnova.org or call the MADD Chapter Office at (703) 379-1135.

New MADD Crashed Car Trailer
The MADD Northern Virginia Chapter has a new 'vehicle' to help stop drunk driving and prevent underage drinking!

Delivered in late September, the new MADD Crashed Car Exhibit is a trailer with plexi-glass windows containing an actual crashed car from a DUI crash. The trailer includes a generator, lights, mounted photographs of the actual crash scene, and 2 mounted television monitors, VCR, and sound speakers. The first MADD crashed car exhibit was successfully implemented in the state of California in 2001. More than a million people viewed the exhibit in the first 18 months. Encased in a trailer with windows on three sides is a small pick-up truck that was speeding in excess of 75 mph, repeatedly bumping into a raised medium, uprooting 100 feet of shrubbery before colliding with a tree. The passenger, who had been celebrating his birthday, was killed instantly. The driver survived, but has permanent brain damage and neurological damage to his spine. The demolished vehicle, the storyboard and the actual photographs from the crash scene make the exhibit realistic and poignant. The MADD Chapter is currently seeking sponsors to cover the operating costs for the trailer. Within the next month or so the crashed car exhibit will be available to schools, law enforcement agencies and other venues for display. Please spread the word about our new educational 'vehicle' and feel free to call the MADD Northern Virginia Office at (703) 379-1135 for more information. Alcohol-related Crash Deaths Down Slightly in 2003

The national 2003 traffic fatalities numbers, released by NHTSA, show that a total of 42,643 people were killed in highway fatalities (compared with 43,005 in 2002). Of those, 17,013 people were killed in alcohol-related fatalities (or about 40% of the total). This is a three-percent decrease from 2002 (17,524 alcohol-related fatalities). This is the first decrease since 1999. The bad news is that, still, over 17,000 people are killed and over a half a million are injured each year in alcohol-related crashes.

The 2003 Virginia figures are more mixed. There were 942 persons killed on Virginia roadways, a 3.18% increase from 2002. Of those, 361 persons (or about 38% of the total) were killed in alcohol-related crashes. This is a 3.73% decrease from 2002.

Law enforcement is very concerned about the number of fatalities and injuries caused by drunk drivers. Police officers and sheriff's deputies are getting better training and are arresting more and more intoxicated motorists. More than 27,000 individuals were convicted of DUI in Virginia in 2003.

Useful Websites