MADD-RI Urges State to Buckle Down on Drunk Driving Laws

Police officers from across the state joined Rhode Island's Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at East Providence Lanes Saturday afternoon for the group's annual awareness campaign kickoff. Before the Holiday Highway Safety Awareness Event turned into a bowling tournament, those present used their platform to advocate tougher laws relating to drunk driving.

East Providence Police Chief Joe Tavares said that he saw Saturday's kickoff event as a reminder "to do more" to curb drinking-and-driving across the state. Tavares, who later accompanied his fellow officers tying a MADD ribbon to police cars, also pointed to efforts in East Providence to curb drinking issues.

"We're taking on many of the liquor establishments, both retail, restaurants and others, so as to prevent that individual from even getting into the vehicle," Tavares said. Tavares also mentioned the city's youth decoy program  as an example of individual communities fighting alcohol abuse. The program has resulted in multiple violations and showcase hearings across the city.

Saturday's event included a personal example of the pain drunk driving can cause. Cathy Andreozzi brought her now wheelchair-bound daughter, Tori Lynn, before the gathered crowd, speaking of Rhode Island's need to adopt stricter laws regarding intoxicated driving.

"There is much work to be done," Andreozzi said. "There are [many] steps that can be taken. Rhode Island has been in this battle for over 30 years and certainty it's not for the lack of efforts, but we are still at the bottom."

MADD has developed a rating system by which it measures each state. Ranging from one to five stars, the ratings are tied to how many of MADD's suggestions a state implements. These include sobriety checkpoints on roadways; administrative license revocation; child-endangerment laws; vehicle interlock systems for first-time convicted drunk drivers; and no-refusal laws.

By MADD's standards, Rhode Island is lagging in efforts to effectively deal with drunk driving. The group has assigned the Ocean State one star, a sole recognition of its present child endangerment laws relating to alcohol. Yet Saturday's event presented the urgency of the organization and its allies to make Rhode Island subscribe to the additional benchmarks devised by MADD.

At Saturday's event, Steven Pare, commissioner of Public Safety for the City of Providence and chairman of MADD-RI, referenced the slightly higher ratings handed out by the group to Rhode Island's neighbors, along with a statistic that placed Rhode Island in the "top five states in this country that continually has a high percentage of alcohol-related fatalities."

The state's legislature has been reluctat to adopt MADD's proposals, citing their potential unconstitutional nature, according to Pare.

"There's alway a balance with freedom, and there's always a balance with enforcement and incarceration," Pare said in response to Rhode Island's sensitivity to safeguarding constitutional rights. Pare added that, in the legislature, "there's resistance to the tools which we've advocated."

A resistant General Assembly has not deterred MADD advocate Cathy Andreozzi from focusing on the group's intended results – even if those results mean more of a clamp-down on non-offenders.

"We need to convey to the legislative body that the rights of the individuals who are doing exactly what they should be doing, when they should be doing it, cannot weigh the rights of those who have made a willful, irresponsible and illegal choice," Andreozzi said.

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Woman arrested for drunk driving, child endangerment

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Battle Creek police have reported the following cases:

• A warrant is being sought for a man, 54, after his girlfriend, 42, said she was assaulted in the first block of Harris Avenue about 1:25 a.m. Thursday.

• A man, 28, and his roommate, a woman, 31, were arrested after they fought in the 300 block of Webber Street about 1:50 a.m. Thursday.

• A warrant is being sought for a man, 27, after his former girlfriend, 21, said she was assaulted in the first block of Laura Lane about 2:52 a.m. Thursday.

• A woman, 28, was arrested after her boyfriend, 26, said he was assaulted in the 200 block of Summer Street about 7:35 a.m. Thursday.

ASSAULT: Battle Creek police are investigating a report that a man touched the buttocks of a girl, 13, near Mason Avenue and Kellogg Street about 6:39 a.m. Thursday. The girl said she was walking to meet a bus when the man walked past her, then began to follow her and then suddenly ran past her touching her. The girl wasn't sure if the man was trying to touch her or just trying to reach for a cell phone or some other valuable.

WOMAN ARRESTED: A Battle Creek woman, 28, was arrested on charges of drunk driving and child endangerment after Battle Creek police said she had a minor accident near Columbia Avenue and Main Street about 4:22 p.m. Thursday. Officers said her blood alcohol level was 0.17 percent and she was driving with her son, 3, in the car.

BREAK-INS: (Values in parentheses) • All You Need Rental, 951 Surby Ave.: attempted. • Wentworth Avenue, 300 block: generator, tool box, tools ($1,370).

THEFTS: • Marie Avenue, 400 block: cash ($300). • Fremont Street, first block: television satellite box ($200). • Capital Avenue Southwest, 400 block: checkbook (undetermined). • Clark Road, first block: money, medication ($500). • Dahlia Drive, 5600 block: scooter ($500).

VANDALISM: • South Burdge Street, first block: window (undetermined). • Burr Street, 200 block: window (undetermined). • Allison Drive, first block: tires ($400). • Laura Lane, first block: grill (undetermined).

Call Silent Observer at 964-3888 or text CRIMES (274-637) Tip 685 with information about crimes.

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Repeat drunk drivers, a growing menace?

On a recent Friday night in Palm Beach County, the Contact 5 Investigators found a driver confused, his Lexus bruised after deputies say alcohol led him to cross over the median and take down a street pole.

It's a scene that has become all too normal in Florida, because DUI crashes have become all too common.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, last year drunk drivers caused upwards of 50 crashes per day in the Sunshine State and killed nearly one thousand people.

It's a problem that is dangerous, deadly, and all too often, repeated.

"It's not fair and it shouldn't be," said Duane Jacobetti. He and his wife, Tina, know what repeat drunk drivers are capable of.

But, they could never imagine their only child would fall victim to one.

"I miss her so much. I never would have thought she'd be one of those statistics," said Tina.

16-year-old Jessica Smith was a popular cheerleader at South Fork High in Martin County when she crossed paths, this summer, with a repeat drunk driver. The driver, 58 year old David Whelan, was driving the wrong way on US-1 In Hobe Sound.

Tina had gone out looking for her daughter, when she found her.

"I see this accident scene with this truck but I really didn't think it was her truck so I pulled over. I talked to the officer and he's like 'what's your daughters name?' Then he said 'come here.' That's when I knew it was her. I thought maybe she was just hurt. He showed me her picture and then I see this purse her boyfriend got her for her birthday in April and I knew it was her," explained Tina.

Jessica died upon impact that June 23rd. So did her killer, 58-year-old Whelan. According to the Florida Highway Patrol crash report, Whelan's blood alcohol level that night measured nearly four times the legal limit.

But as more details about Whelan's past started to surface after the crash, the Jacobetti's grief turned to rage.

"This guy should never have been on the road that night," said Duane.

David Whelan had a history of alcohol problems. He had been arrested more than 40 times on various charges, most alcohol related.

The night he crashed head on into Jessica, Whelan had been convicted of three DUIs and his license had been suspended for the fifth time.

"Other than, literally, putting someone in jail, there's very little we can do to prevent them from getting back in the car. We can't, literally, hold everyone's keys," explains Nelson Baez, an Assistant State Attorney in Palm Beach County, where Whelan lived.

The State Attorney's office failed to prosecute Whelan three times last year when he was arrested, again, for driving under the influence and, once again, for driving with a suspended license.

The Contact 5 Investigators asked Baez why the state never pursued charges against Whelan for those arrests.

"I have nothing to say, specifically, about David Whelan's situation," Baez said, further explaining his office doesn't comment on individual cases.

But while the State Attorney's office isn't talking about the Whelan case, Palm Beach County Judge Barry Cohen, is.

"No one likes to say this, but no system is perfect. The criminal justice system cannot provide 100% public safety," Judge Cohen said.

Cohen signed a warrant for Whelan's arrest, issued just two weeks before the deadly crash. The warrant was issued after Whelan consistently violated the terms of his release from a 2009 DUI conviction.

But even though a warrant had been issued for Whelan's arrest on June 9th, warrant cops couldn't catch up with him before the crash on June 23rd.

"An attempt was made at his home address, but he wasn't there. Whelan was one of those offenders who had had multiple addresses, he had 8 different addresses on file from various encounters with law enforcement, " explained Lt. Chris Keane of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office warrant division.

But Judge Cohen explains Whelan's case is an unfortunate reality of a criminal justice system overloaded by cases, grossly underfunded and understaffed.

"When you look at volume, it's a miracle people get out of the courtroom at all and anything gets done," he said.

"Was this a system failure?" asked the Contact 5 Investigators.

"Well, obviously an innocent young woman is dead. She was killed by a guy who's got a record and she was killed by a guy driving under suspension, who was on probation for DUI. Um, I'm not prepared to say the system failed this victim," he said.

"Are you prepared to say the system worked," asked Contact 5 Investigator, Katie LaGrone.

Judge Cohen replied, "No, not at all."

Nearly 4 months after the crash, Jessica's memory remains where she died. A roadside memorial on US-1 in Hobe Sound is covered with messages from friends and family.

But her parents continue to ask questions, knowing the man who killed their only child, should never have been driving behind the wheel to begin with.

"How could this guy have gotten away with so much?

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Something has to be done about Drunk Driving

'Something has to be done,' Solicitor General says as drunk driving charges laid in Calgary double-fatality

Two people died early Sunday after a high-speed crash in northeast Calgary allegedly involving an impaired driver.

Police have charged a 23-year-old man with impaired driving causing death in connection with the crash on McKnight Boulevard N.E. at Deerfoot Trail.

The victims were a 27-yearold man and 24-year-old woman inside a westbound Dodge Avenger that was stopped for a red light when a Lexus GS300 plowed into the back of their car.

The driver of the Dodge was killed in the impact, which pushed the car more than 50 metres. The woman died in hospital a short time later.

Police said the Lexus travelled an additional 30 metres before coming to a stop.

Police at the scene arrested the driver of the Lexus, who wasn't injured.

A 24-year-old passenger in the vehicle suffered only minor injuries.

Their names haven't been released.

Ryan Thomas Kramer, 23, has been charged with two counts each of impaired driving causing death, driving over .08 causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

The crash is the second multiple fatality involving alcohol in Calgary the span of a week and comes as the provincial government mulls tougher penalties for impaired drivers.

Alberta's solicitor general said impaired driving has been a persistent problem for years.

"This is not a knee-jerk reaction. It's an ongoing issue, and I think something has to be done about it," Jonathan Denis said Sunday.

Alcohol-related deaths have been decreasing in Alberta but still made up a significant portion of the 351 traffic fatalities recorded in 2010.

Among those, Alberta Transportation reported 90 drivers had been drinking prior to the crash - 57 of whom were legally impaired. That number represents a 25 per cent decline since 2007.

In the past year, however, neighbouring B.C. has logged a 50 per cent decline in alcohol-related fatalities since introducing tough administrative penalties targeting impaired drivers.

B.C.'s administrative rules impose penalties for drivers with a bloodalcohol concentration above .05 but below the criminal standard of .08.

Drivers who register within that range can be subject to a 72-hour licence suspension and pay fines and associated fees totalling more than $600. The suspensions and fines increase for drivers repeatedly caught within that range.

Between October 2010 and July 2011, B.C. recorded 49 alcohol-related fatalities, down from an average of 93 deaths over the same period in the past five years.

"Something obviously is working when you have such a marked reduction," Denis said.

Denis, Justice Minister Verlyn Olson and Transportation Minister Ray Danyluk were given mandate letters from Premier Alison Redford last week instructing them to develop administrative penalties targeting impaired drivers.

While B.C.'s measures have attracted significant attention, Denis said the government is looking for a "made in Alberta" regimen that incorporates what works best in B.C. and other provinces.

B.C.'s legislation has drawn criticism from civil libertarians because of the heavy penalties it imposes against motorists who haven't exceeded the criminal threshold and the limited avenues of appeal available to drivers.

Denis said Alberta is looking at a fair appeals process and the intent of the legislation isn't to target drivers "who have a glass of wine with a meal."

Current provincial traffic regulations allow police to issue 24-hour suspensions against drivers who appear impaired but do not exceed the legal limit of .08.

However, the current law has no method of sanctioning drivers who habitually rack up 24-hour suspensions - new administrative penalties akin to B.C.'s would address that loophole, said Denis.

"We're after the people who persistently drink and drive," he said.

"I feel there should be some escalation in the penalties."

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Public Meeting About Dangers of Drinking and Driving

A public awareness event about the dangers of drugged, drunk and impaired driving will be held Monday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Borgia Regional High School in Washington.

Father Finbarr Dowling, St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, is helping to organize the event with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Father Dowling described the meeting, which will be open to the public, as an exchange of information among concerned parents.

“We hope to encourage parents who are trying hard to keep kids safe,” Father Dowling said. “We want to keep the emphasis on how parents are discouraging their kids from drinking and driving.”

Meghan Carter, executive director of the gateway affiliate of MADD, will speak at the event. The St. Louis chapter covers nine counties in the region, including Franklin County.

“My presentation will give people an overview of what we (MADD) do in the St. Louis area, how to get involved and to reach out to victims,” Carter said.

Carter will invite those who have been affected by drunk driving to share their personal stories about the “victimization that they’ve experienced and what MADD has done for them.”

Washington police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Department deputies also have been invited to speak.

Accident Statistics

According to the Statistical Analysis Center of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in 14.8 percent of fatal crashes involving drivers under the age of 21, the driver’s drinking condition contributed to the cause of the crash.

In 2010, there were 18 drivers between the ages of 15-20 who were killed in accidents involving alcohol statewide.

There were 319 personal injuries reported from accidents involving alcohol in that same age group in Missouri last year.

According to the patrol, there were 138 crashes involving drinking, in Franklin County last year. Of those 15 involved drivers under the age of 21.

Franklin County ranked eighth among all of the counties for the highest number of crashes involving drinking and drivers under 21.

In Warren County, the patrol reported 33 crashes involving drinking and two of those involved drivers under the age of 21.

In Washington, Lt. Mike Stapp said there have been no alcohol- or drug-related-accidents involving drivers under 21 and alcohol so far this year.

In 2010, there were three alcohol- or drug-related crashes where the drivers were under the age 21 and in 2009, there were four.

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Maryland's Drunk Driver Ignition Interlock Program Requires More Participation

GLEN BURNIE, Md. (November 2, 2011) -- Maryland officials recently announced that the 2011 Drunk Driving Reduction Act, implemented on October 1, will expand Maryland's ignition interlock program by requiring more drivers to participate. Currently, Maryland has the highest per-capita participation in ignition interlock on the East Coast with numbers that have nearly doubled in the past few years.

Over the last 3 years, Maryland's ignition interlock program has increased 66%. In November 2008, there were 5,500 participants in the program. One year later, there were 7,971 participants. Currently, Maryland estimates that there are almost 9,100 participants in the MVA's ignition interlock program, and it is expected to grow even larger. This increase in participation was promoted by the education of judges and law enforcement about the effectiveness of the device and now will be enhanced even further under the new legislation passed by the State Legislature.

"Our commitment to impaired driving prevention and our efforts to increase awareness of the consequences of impaired driving are stronger than ever. If you drink and drive, you will get caught and the odds have increased dramatically that you will be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle," said Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator John Kuo at a media event today at the Maryland State Police Barrack in Jessup.

Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. Brown and National Highway Traffic Safety Regional Administrator Dr. Beth Baker also participated in the media event which highlighted the changes in Maryland's drunk driving laws and demonstrated an ignition interlock devise.

"Unfortunately, Maryland police officers deal almost daily with the tragedies caused by a drunk driver," Colonel Brown said. "One of the most frustrating experiences for police officers is to arrest a drunk driver for repeating the same offense. This new law will reduce the opportunity to re-offend, while helping us decrease injuries and deaths and increase safety on Maryland roads."

"We need to use all weapons in our arsenal in our fight to prevent drunk driving. We have the technology on our side, we just need to use it - as much and as often as possible," said Dr. Baker. Research shows that ignition interlocks, while installed on an offender's vehicle, reduce recidivism among both first-time and repeat DWI offenders."

Officials also announced that Maryland is the first state in the nation to automate its comprehensive ignition interlock program, managing the program through the aggressive use of technology. Currently, five vendors in the State of Maryland have been approved by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to operate interlock programs. Drivers who participate must report to the interlock vendor every 30 days to have their devices calibrated and to have their monitoring data electronically downloaded and sent to the MVA. Program violations are automatically flagged from the data that is sent by the ignition interlock providers.

Representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the American Automobile Association also attended the media event in support of the message. The 2011 Drunk Driving Reduction Act allows many more drivers, who have been found to drive while intoxicated, to drive if they install an ignition interlock devise. The new law also sanctions drivers who do not complete their ignition interlock period or drive without the ignition interlock device that has been installed in their vehicle.

The law makes it possible for drunk driving violators to enroll in an ignition interlock program even if they initially chose suspension. The program is required for six months for a first ignition interlock restriction, one year for a second ignition interlock restriction, and three years for a third or subsequent ignition interlock restriction.

"Over the past few years, AAA Mid-Atlantic has advocated in Annapolis for mandatory ignition interlocks for drunk driving offenders. While ignition interlocks are no panacea, they are certainly an integral part in the solution to address impaired driving, by keeping drunk drivers off the roads and subsequently saving lives in Maryland. We commend the legislature and the MVA for the expansion of this important tool to fight drunk driving in our State," said Ragina C. Averella, Public and Government Affairs Manager, AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Drivers who are now required to enroll in the ignition interlock program or face suspension or revocation under the 2011 Drunk Driving Reduction Act include:

-- Drivers who are under 21 and violate their alcohol restrictions,

-- Drivers who have a second alcohol conviction of any kind within 5 years,

-- Or drivers who register a blood alcohol content of .15 or greater and are subsequently convicted of driving under the influence.

Drivers who have high blood alcohol convictions are required not only to participate in the ignition interlock program, they must successfully complete it. Others who violate the ignition interlock program face a fine of $1,000 and /or 1 year in prison for a first offense and a fine of $1,000 and /or 2 years in prison for a second offense.

It has been observed that drivers who drink and drive will do so on suspended licenses. The Maryland Ignition Interlock Program is designed to eliminate the drunk driver from the road. Studies have found that up to 65 percent of people with suspended licenses still drive. It is believed that ignition interlock devices will help ensure that all offenders will not drink and drive again.

Maryland has long recognized that an ignition interlock program is a valuable deterrent that saves lives and first enacted an ignition interlock program in 1989.

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The Latest, Greatest Weapon in the Battle Against Drunk Driving

Drunk driving. It’s an issue, one that gets a lot of play in the media — some days it seems you can’t turn around without hearing a new story in the news that goes a little like this: “There was an accident on Such-and-such Parkway this morning at three a.m. Two people were killed, three injured. The driver of one of the vehicles will be indicted for DUI.”

Everyone knows the dangers of driving while under the influence; most children are taught that drinking and driving is bad long before driving is even a consideration in their young minds. Legislation is enacted in every state, punitive measures put in place against those who are caught in the act of drunk driving as well as those who cause such accidents. A great social stigma, as well, is enforced, helped along by the media. And yet, this epidemic seems unaffected.

There is one thing, though, that remains mainly untried. The breathalyzer is a small device carried by most police officers in order to test suspected drunk drivers’ blood alcohol levels when they’ve been pulled over. However, police officers can’t catch every drunk driver in the act, and certainly can’t catch all of them before tragedy strikes, and the breathalyzer, though quick and accurate,is hardly ever seen outside of the justice system.

The Alcobuddy exists to change all of that. It is a wall-mounted breathalyzer, about the size of a large backpack that is meant to be installed in places that serve copious amounts of alcohol — i.e. bars, clubs and vineyards. It’s bound to catch the attention and curiosity of many a patron. Once curiosity is piqued, the patron will find that the Alcobuddy has a digital video screen to walk them through the
process of testing their blood-alcohol level. The owner of an establishment will be happy to note the autonomy of the Alcobuddy, as well; it holds six hundred of the straws needed for use, and the alcohol sensor itself lasts for between eight hundred and eleven hundred uses, the longest lasting sensor in the business.

The accuracy of the Alcobuddy is great, too, in that it will give a BAC within .01 units of the patron’s actual levels. This cold hard number is likely to put Average Joe off from driving if he, like most people, has assured himself that he’s “not drunk, just buzzed,” and intended to drive home. If he’s faced with the actual numbers, he’d know exactly how “buzzed” he really is, and maybe, just maybe, he’ll call a friend or a cab.

The fact of the matter is, the Alcobuddy has the ability to save lives. If you’re interested, or unconvinced, please, check out www.alcobuddy.com for more information.

The Alcobuddy – A True Drunk-Driving Deterrent

It seems that every time someone turns around, there’s another story in the paper or on televised news broadcasts, or even on the wide, impersonal Internet, about some tragedy involving drunk driving. It’s perfectly safe to say that drunk driving is a huge problem in America, and there’ve been dozens of legal measures and debates and organisations made about preventing it and the deaths it continues to cause. Legal measures, social stigma, it seems like pretty much every trick in the book has been tried.

However, there’s one glaring omission in the crusade against drunk driving. Nobody ever talks about the availability, or, really, lack thereof, of breathalyzer testing. Sure, police officers carry breathalyzers as a matter of course, but not every drunk driver gets pulled over for reckless driving before it’s too late and someone’s been hurt or killed by the recklessness they’ve shown. It seems unfair that you already have to be posing a threat to just find out that your blood alcohol level is dangerously high. It’s an unfortunate truth, and a simple solution has been mainly ignored.

Until now.

The Alcobuddy is a breathalyzer machine meant to be mounted at eye-level in a bar or club. Its catchy design draws the attention of passers-by, and it is large enough (about the size of a large backpack) to be obviously visible. It is made of steel and has a digital video screen to guide a possibly-intoxicated patron through the simple steps to test their blood alcohol levels. It’s accurate to within .01 of your actual BAC, and it takes between 800 and 1100 uses to completely deplete the alcohol sensor. This sensor is the longest-lasting in the business, and, coupled with the six-hundred straw (any kind of which will do) capacity, this means that you don’t have to worry much at all about changing the sensors and straws. The machine can be customized with your own ads, your own currency, and even can replace the bills-and-coins, traditional payment mechanism with a credit card slot. Seven easy to use switches control the accepted currency, language, and amount of payment from inside the Alcobuddy, making the thing even more efficient and adaptable. It’s also profitable due to its relative cheapness to you – the alcohol sensor I mentioned before only costs one hundred dollars to be replaced.

These are only some of the features of the Alcobuddy, but it really isn’t the features that make me think of this as an incredibly worthy investment. What makes this a worthy investment is absurdly simple – it offers a service that nearly no one else does, and this is one of the best services one can offer, because it can save lives.

Interested? Check out the website (www.alcobuddy.com) for more info!

The Alco-Buddy User Experience

No matter how useful a vending machine product may be, it’s not always the product that attracts new customers. The user experience is also extremely important which is why Alco-Buddy, the leading manufacturer of alcohol breathalyzer vending machines has designed a product that not only looks and functions exceptionally, but also plays a major part in helping communities fight drunk driving.

The Alco-Buddy is the most advanced alcohol breathalyzer vending machine on the market and its revolutionizing how communities battle drunk driving in their area. The National Highway and Safety Administration works hard to create community-based systems to help fight drunk driving. But none of their efforts can compare to the sleek design and novelty appeal that the Alco-Buddy possesses.

The boldly colored, powder-coated exterior of the Alco-Buddy is made from 16 gauge, tamper proof, galvanized steel. It’s virtually scratch, dent, burn and water resistant! It’s high-quality design is what sets the Alco-Buddy apart from the rest.

Law enforcement agents hail the machine for being responsible for saving the lives of people in their community each year. There’s no other tool as useful and inexpensive in helping to fight drunk driving. Taking a breathalyzer test after being pulled over by police, or worse, after causing a fatal accident, is much too late. For the test to be effective, it should be taken BEFORE getting behind the wheel. Unfortunately, it’s not often that drinkers have access to a reliable test to determine whether they’re too drunk to drive.

Alco-Buddy solves that problem and provides a safe and reliable way to gauge your BAC (blood alcohol content) before it’s too late. It’s a foolproof way to determine whether you should hire a taxi to drive you home. Anyone who’s used the Alco-Buddy will tell you how incredible it is to use the machine. The high-tech credit card reader and bill accepter allows the patron to pay using almost any method of payment, ensuring a pleasing and trouble-free experience. Customers will not only return to use the machine again, but will recommend it to friends, making the Alco-Buddy one of the highest grossing vending machine products and most useful in preventing accidents and DWI.

Combining this easy-to-use product with an irresistible eye-catching design and lifesaving potential makes for quite a successful business venture. Purchase Alco-Buddy for an amazingly affordable startup fee and start placing alcohol breathalyzer machines in your area. Find out how you can be a part of the Alco-Buddy team while also helping to fight the war against drunk driving in your community. Visit www.AlcoBuddy.com for more information. It’s guaranteed to save lives!

Drunk driver ran over girlfriend as she slept during camping trip

A drunk man who took his girlfriend's car then ran her over as she slept in a tent during a camping trip was ordered to carry out community service.

David Owen left Louise Graham with burns to her arm, hand and stomach that needed skin grafts and months of treatment leaving her permanently scarred in St Andrews, Fife.

After he ran her over, Owen demanded that none of the group on the beach camping trip phone an ambulance because he was scared police might get involved.

Sheriff Charlie Macnair QC opted not to jail Owen, who has previous convictions for housebreaking, assault, breach of the peace and theft.

On Thursday the 21-year-old, who was released from a four-month jail term for stealing a case of beer from a Co-op store in Cupar last week, was placed on probation for two years and ordered to do 250 hours community service.

An earlier trial at Cupar Sheriff Court heard Ms Graham was forced to drive back to Owen's home in Dairsie, near Cupar, Fife, where an ambulance was eventually called to rush her to hospital.

A jury heard how Ms Graham had driven Owen, his sister Emma and his friend Andrew McKenna to West Sands, which sits adjacent to the world famous Old Course.

She told how she fell asleep while Owen and the rest of the group sat drinking cider outside. She said she then woke up to find the car on top of her.

Ms Graham described how she woke up feeling like she was “suffocating and burning" as the car was on top of her.

Owen, of Station Road, Dairsie, Fife, denied that on October 8 or 9, 2008 he took Ms Graham's car without permission. He further denied culpably and recklessly driving it over her while under the influence of alcohol to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

But the jury of nine men and six women took 40 minutes to find him guilty of both charges.

Owen's lawyer told the court that Owen wanted to put his life of crime behind him - and settle down with new girlfriend Gemma McHugh after becoming step-father to her four-year-old son.

Paddy O'Dea, defending, added: "He was released from his previous sentence on June 11. He is now in part-time employment in the construction industry and is living with his partner."

Sheriff Charlie Macnair told Owen: "The jury found you guilty of two charges of taking a vehicle without consent and of culpable and reckless conduct that resulted in serious injury and permanent disfigurement to your then girlfriend.

"Had you deliberately ran her over then I would have been sentencing you to a very lengthy period in prison.

"But this is not the case - and having regard to the nature of the conduct I consider that I'm just able to deal with this by way of a non-custodial sentence."

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Business owners and entrepreneurs who own any social venue and who are looking to start a cash business can now do there part in the prevention of Drunk Driving. Please visit alcobuddy.com. World's premiere Breathalyzer Vending Machine for more information.

Romeoville PD Among Top 100 for Handing Out DUIs

As we head into one of the most dangerous times of year for drunk driving—the Fourth of July—a survey ranks the Romeoville Police Department 75th in the state for arrests for driving under the influence (DUI). That’s out of nearly 700 departments that participated in the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists’ (AAIM) 21st annual DUI survey. The anti-drunk-driving organization released the results of the survey Tuesday.

Romeoville reported 99 DUI arrests in 2010, ranking 75th among the reporting departments and tying with the Woodridge and Rosement police departments. The Rockford Police Department was ranked No. 1 with 727 arrests, and Naperville Police handed out the second-highest number of DUI citations in the state, dishing out 671 DUI arrests in 2010.

The department rankings factor in only the number of DUIs handed out in that year and do not account for population or number of sworn officers.

However, according to the survey, Romeoville police average 1.57 DUIs per officer, compared with Naperville (4.02 per officer), Channahon (4.40), Plainfield (3.12), Minooka (2.75), Lemont (2.45).

Joliet, which ranked #42 with 171 DUI arrests, had a lower rate with .65 DUIs per officer, along with Bolingbrook, which showed 1.42 DUIs per officer, and Yorkville, with 1.35 DUIs per cop.

An earlier AAIM survey shows that in 2009, Romeoville ranked 68th with 118 DIU arrests.

“AAIM is always particularly pleased to announce the increases in impaired driving arrests,” said AAIM board vice president and crash survivor Marti Belluschi in a news release.

“Traffic safety advocates believe that drunk drivers who are arrested are the fortunate ones. In our impaired driving prevention programs, we always remind people that if they are driving drunk they are lucky if it is a cop that stops them, rather than a tree, another car or a small child."

The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists is an Illinois-only citizen activist group founded in 1982 by victims of drunken driving. The Alliance’s mission revolves around prevention, victim advocacy and legislation. A grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation funded the survey.

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Crackdown required on drunk driving

GRAND FALLS - Premier David Alward says there has been a "relaxation" in the attitudes of New Brunswickers towards drinking and driving and that a crackdown is necessary to curb that sentiment.

Alward made the comments after a cabinet meeting in Grand Falls on Wednesday when asked about Hampton provincial court Judge Henrik Tonning's pledge to jail all drunk drivers in court before him.

"That's not for me to support or not support, it's a decision he is taking," Alward said. "But I believe we needed tough drunk driving legislation, we have seen a relaxation from people with drinking and driving, and that is one of the reasons why we brought forward tougher legislation.

"There is no secret what my position is on drunk driving and as a government we have already come forward with tougher rules for those who choose to drink and drive."

Starting June 24, drivers will have their licence suspended for a week if they are caught with a roadside breathalyzer reading between 0.05 and 0.08 - even though they're below the legal limit.

The change is under the provincial Motor Vehicle Act. Currently, the suspension is only 24 hours.

The legal blood alcohol concentration limit in Canada is 0.08 per cent.

Judge Tonning's decision on tougher penalties comes as a rising number of Kings County people were getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink. For months now Crown prosecutors in the region have been asking judges for mandatory jail time for first-time impaired driving convictions and some of them have had success in getting the sentence handed down.

Alward was in Grand Falls for what was a cabinet field day of sorts after the province's ministers met behind closed door on Tuesday evening and again on Wednesday morning.

It was the second time the Alward cabinet was on the road, after it first held a meeting in Eel River Bar earlier this year.

Ministers fanned out over the community. Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud was said to have visited a bio technology research centre at the local community college.

Environment Minister Margaret-Ann Blaney headed to Laforge Farms, a 600-acre dairy operation in Grand Falls with a $2.35 million biomass energy project aimed at generating enough energy to run 200 homes annually.

Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup checked out a local fish growing operation. Energy Minister Craig Leonard was to be on a tour of the Grand Falls Generating Station.

Education Minster Jody Carr was said to be visiting a local school.

Alward met with a local francophone school before meeting with stakeholders in the area over lunch. He then zip lined over the Grand Falls gorge with local MLA Danny Soucy, and was later scheduled to take a ride on a pontoon boat that navigates the waters he rocketed over hours before.

Alward said the day was part of a citizen engagement pledge.

"We will continue to do it because it gives MLAs and cabinet ministers a better appreciation of each region of the province, but at the same time it gives people in the regions a chance to have contact and understand what is going on as well," he said.

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Ryan Dunn's Car Crash Reconstruction, Drunk Driving at Over 130 MPH

Ryan Dunn was traveling at a speed exceeding 130 miles per hour, Pennsylvania police have concluded in their preliminary investigation into the crash that killed him early Monday morning. According to CNN, not only does the crash reconstruction investigation show an excessive rate of speed but preliminary tests indicate that the "Jackass" star was also far past the legal alcohol limit when he got behind the wheel of his black Porsche.

In a statement issued Wednesday, West Goshen Police Chief Michael Carroll said, "The initial crash reconstruction investigation determined that Mr. Dunn's vehicle was traveling between 132-140 mph at the time of the collision."

Carroll also noted that the toxicology tests conducted by the coroner indicated that Dunn's blood alcohol content was 0.196 percent, which is more than twice the state level of legal intoxication (0.8 percent). The coroner, who issued a preliminary autopsy report Tuesday, also found that the violence of the car crash left him unable to determine which killed the 34-yar-old Dunn and his 30-year-old passenger, Zachary Hartwell -- blunt force trauma or the nearly instantaneous fire that engulfed the Porsche subsequent to the crash.

West Goshen Police were called to the scene of a fiery crash outside of West Chester, Pennsylvania, at 2:30 a.m. Monday morning. The police report revealed that responding officers found a single car crashed alongside the highway and "engulfed" in flames. Dunn, who police said was driving the car, was identified by tattoos and the fact that the car was registered in his name. Hartwell was not immediately identified.

The story of the "Jackass" star's death immediately made headline news and set off a firestorm of traffic on the Internet. Besides words of condolences and support for the families of Dunn and Hartwell, the age-old argument against the dangers of drinking and driving became the topic of the day, sparked by a picture of Dunn, Hartwell, and another man drinking in a bar that was posted to Dunn's Twitter account about two hours prior to the crash.

Dunn, easily singled out from the "Jackass" crew by his signature beard, rose to fame through the MTV reality series "Jackass" and the following movie franchise. At the time of his death, he was involved in a series project on the G4 Channel called "Proving Ground," a show dedicated to recreating iconic scenes and events from various media sources (television, movies, video games) in a real world setting to see if they could be done. The show debuted on June 14. Upon news of his death, TMZ reported that the G4 Channel canceled future scheduled shows.

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Alco-Buddy Helps Local Communities Fight the War against Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is a serious problem in the United States. Of fatal accidents in 2009, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calculated that 32 percent involved alcohol-impaired drivers and more than 181 children were killed due to drivers who were drunk. These are innocent victims whose lives were affected by an irresponsible drunk driver. More and more, local communities are depending on an integrated community-based approach to sanction offenders.

In Suffolk County, NY, The Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated (STOP-DWI) program has helped reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities and injuries in New York State. According to the Suffolk County Government website, the program requires the county government to implement a yearly plan of action that addresses impaired enforcement, prosecution, probation, rehabilitation, public information and education. What’s unique is that the program is supported by fines collected from the people convicted of alcohol and/or drug related traffic infractions in that county. The program is completely funded by drunk drivers, allowing the county to step up prosecution, conduct rehabilitation and education activities, implement an active public awareness campaign and add extra police patrols and DWI checkpoints – all on the offenders’ dime.

But law enforcement agents in New York are now voicing concern over a new application for smartphones that is capable of pinpointing DWI checkpoints, speed traps and red light cameras using GPS data. The technology gives drunk drivers the ability to escape detection. New York State Senator, Charles Schumer, questioned the legality and morality of these apps at the inaugural hearing of the Privacy and Technology Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee back in March. The Senator was instrumental in getting Blackberry makers, Research in Motion, to remove these apps from their smartphones. However, Google and Apple are still refusing to remove the apps from the Android and iPhone, insisting that the applications do not violate their terms of service.

Of course, the ability to evade DWI checkpoints using a smartphone app is not the kind of integrated community-based approach that the NHTSA had in mind. But an innovative vending machine manufacturer in Holbrook, NY, has designed a product that can help fight drunk driving on the community level. Alco-Buddy, the revolutionary new alcohol breathalyzer vending machine, is quickly becoming a valuable tool to help communities reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road without having to increase police patrol. The concept is simple. Business owners who serve alcohol in their establishments allow distributors to install the vending machine on their wall, free of charge. In return, the distributor splits a percentage of the Alco-Buddy’s profits with the business owner. It’s a win/win situation that also helps drinkers determine whether they’re too intoxicated to get behind the wheel before leaving the establishment. What’s more is that the Alco-Buddy is also equipped to boldly display taxi and limo service information, making it simple for drinkers to find an alternative way home.

With the increase of drunk driving arrests and convictions in combination with the latest alcohol related accident statistics, it’s clear to see why a product such as the Alco-Buddy can benefit the entire community. It not only brings a distinctive novelty to the local bars, pubs and restaurants, but it also makes the roads safer for everyone. To find out more about the Alco-Buddy and related products, visit www.alcobuddy.com or call 1.888.925.2628

Accident reenactment in West Milford is reality check

Reenactment of a 2009 auto accident caused by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, gave West Milford High School juniors and seniors a reality check days before this year’s prom and graduation events. The mock accident on June 1 in a high school parking lot created a somber scene with grief-stricken and pensive students watching in deafening silence. About 100 participants, mostly volunteers, were involved in the presentation.

The wailing sirens of police cars, ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency responders, the sound of the approaching North Star Medivcac helicopter and finally the silent arrival of a hearse from Richard’s funeral home stunned the hundreds of students seated along the curb surrounding the parking lot.

The participants were equipped with wireless microphones, provided by Tom and Jerry Sconamilio, owners of The Music Den in Butler. The high school sound crew facilitating the sound included Ryan Hanenberg, Mark Lydecker, Keith Meola, Justin Chandler, Alex DeLaura and Ian O’Loughlin.

Before going to the mock accident scene the students saw a film filmed and edited by student Harry Fontan. It began with high school student actors Steve Kuchenruther, Jake Korinko, Meg Marino and Jackie Dougert having drinks before getting into a car to go to their prom. The crash and the chilling aftermath scene in the parking lot followed.

"Since a drunk driver crashed into my car every part of my life has been impacted and I am reminded of it every day," said Diane Sidoli.

She was one of several speakers who gave messages to the students. Sidoli uses a wheel chair as a result of loss of both of her legs after a drunk driver crashed into her car as she drove home from work.

This is the third time that a graduation-prom time drunk-driving related auto accident has been demonstrated at the high school, creator Peter Anzelone told Aim West Milford. He said the reenactment is held every two years. Anzelone is assistant principal and supervisor of health and physical education.

Hearing of the program in other schools, Anzelone observed presentations and then modified them for use in West Milford.

"We try to drive the point home as to what happens when people do not make good decisions," said Anzelone. "We try to burn it in the students’ brains to not get behind the wheel if they have been drinking."

"We, as a faculty, feel the loss of a student as well as their family and friends do," Anzelone told the students. "We care about each and every one. Take care of each other!"

"Police Officer Joseph Nevin has helped tremendously with this production," said Anzelone.

He also noted the cooperation and help from Acting Police Chief Gene Chiosie and Officers Anthony Parrello and Jill Brickman (West Milford High School graduates), Officer John Pescenti, in charge of Juvenile Protection, and School Principal Maureen Bernstock.

In introducing the program Guidance Counselor Don Heaney said the emergency responders volunteered their time to demonstrate the chaotic chain of events that occurs during an accident. He said that, unfortunately, the first responders too often have performed the tasks they were demonstrating.

"This presentation is not meant for your entertainment," said Heaney. "The reality is that these alcohol related accidents have happened in many places. I am sad to report that these preventable accidents have taken the lives of West Milford’s own. Do not dismiss this mock accident as ridiculous and say, ‘This won’t happen to me.’"

"In a few days you will be participating in the most important rituals of high school life," said Heaney. "High School graduation and attendance at the prom, for many, may involve drinking either before or after these events. More than likely someone who has had too much to drink will get behind the wheel of a car and drive."

"You should know that alcohol is associated with the leading cause of death among teen automobile crashes," said Heaney. "Although nearly one-third of all teen driving fatalities and injuries involve the use of alcohol, these rates shoot up around prom and graduation weekend, according to statistics on the Mothers Against Drunk Driving website. During prom weekends approximately 60 percent of all automobile facilities involve the use of alcohol."

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Drunk drivers still a problem in Kern County

Six people are in the hospital after a fiery crash in central Bakersfield Thursday morning. Police say alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Investigators say it was just after 2:00 a.m. when 18-year-old David Longoria was allegedly driving drunk and hit another car at the intersection of California Ave. and Oak St.

No one died, but locals say this should be a lesson in preventing a tragedy in the future.

"As I'm getting out of my car I hear a bang," said David Northam.

When David Northam looked up while getting gas he saw a scary sight, a fiery crash involving teenagers and alcohol. He rushed to the scene to help.

"I thought he was deceased when I got there and then I saw the flames."

Police say Longoria sped through a red light and smashed into the other car. They say Longoria had been drinking and didn't have a driver's license.

No one died in the crash, but it's enough to scare Northam.

"I got a kid that just graduated, it really touches home," he said.

Emergency personnel constantly warn drivers not to drink and drive yet it still happens.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving advocate Carla Pearson thought it would never happen to her, until she lost her son.

"I would walk by the television and I would see the stories and I would stop and say it was sad, never knowing that our family would go through something like losing a son."

It's a simple message: "Don't drink and drive." Yet, every summer, especially when school gets out, drinking and driving remains a problem.

Pearson says there's a simple way to protect yourself from people who are drinking and driving, texting or just not paying attention.

When the light turns green, wait, look left and look right. She says it could save your life.

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Crackdown on drunk driving: Three get 2-day jail term, fined

GURGAON: Do not drink and drive. Getting tough on drunk driving, the Gurgaon traffic police sentenced three people to a two-day imprisonment after 100 ml of alcohol was found in their blood. They were also fined Rs 2,000 each on Thursday.

The accused were convicted by the court of chief judicial magistrate Jasbir Singh and sent to Bhondsi jail. The accused were convicted by the court for the offence, which is punishable under Section 185 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

The order said that in default of payment of the fine, the three convicts will have to further undergo a simple imprisonment for two days.

The three offenders were caught on Wednesday night at the Delhi-Gurgaon toll plaza by the team led by the police commissioner. Gurgaon police commissioner S S Deswal, who visited Delhi-Gurgaon toll plaza to inspect the ongoing drive against drunk driving, instructed the officers present on the spot to prepare a water-tight case against offenders so that they do not get away by just paying a meagre monetary fine.

Cops were asked to keep a record of the number of times a driver is caught for drunken driving; this information will be used in court so that frequent offenders are given harsher punishment including imprisonment.

Deswal said that there was a need to set an exemplary punishment for this offence which not only puts the drivers life at risk, but also of other road users. He added that drunk driving was the third major cause of accidental deaths in Gurgaon followed by overspeeding.

While two of Thursdays offenders were driving vehicles having Delhi registration numbers, one had Haryana number. The accused Ravinder, a resident of Bharthal in Delhi, who was driving a taxi (DL-1T-5672) was found to have 226-2 ml alcohol in blood. Munish Uniyal, a resident of sector 7, Dwarka (Delhi) driving a Maruti Zen (DL-3CR-9592), had 131-6 ml alcohol in blood. Sumeshpal, a resident of Muradnagar (Uttar Pradesh), had 260-2 ml alcohol.

According to Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (1988), a driver who has alcohol exceeding 30mg per 100 ml of blood detected in a test by a breath analyzer can face imprisonment up to six months or fine or both. For second or subsequent offence, the jail term goes up to two years.

DCP (traffic) Bharti Arora said on Wednesday that 152 offenders were challaned for the offence and out of this, 56 alone were challaned at the toll plaza.

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Michigan Wide Receiver Sentenced For Drunk Driving

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- On Friday, University of Michigan wide receiver Darryl Stronum was sentenced to 2 years probation on charges of operating while visibly impaired.

Stronum also received a suspended sentence of 365 days in jail. so if he violates probation he could spend time in jail.

Under a plea agreement, a charge of of driving with a suspended license will be dropped if Stronum successfully completes a sobriety program monitored by the court.

In September 2008, during his freshman year, police charged Stronum with operating a vehicle while visibly impaired, and he was subsequently jailed for three nights in July 2010 for multiple probation violations.

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Police to target drink/drug-impaired drivers

A MONTH-LONG campaign is being launched by Sussex Police to target people who put their own and other people’s lives at risk by driving while impaired.

During the month of June police officers across the county will be carrying out action to catch people who think drink or drug driving is acceptable.

The fire service and local councils will be working alongside the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, which Sussex Police is part of, to carry out targeted days of action across Sussex, as well as high visibility mobile checks, and covert checks at all times of the day.

The campaign aims to reduce the number of collisions in which people are seriously injured or killed as a result of people driving while impaired through alcohol or drug consumption.

Chief Inspector Di Roskilly, of Sussex Police Roads Policing Unit, said: “Drink driving can ruin lives and this June we are aiming to crack down on those who think it is acceptable to get behind the wheel of their car while impaired through drink or drugs.

“We will also be looking to raise awareness of the amount of time alcohol remains in your body. If you have been drinking the night before please think before you get into the car the following morning - you may still be over the drink-drive limit.

“The minimum sentence for anyone caught drink driving, no matter how little over the legal limit you are, is a 12-month disqualification from driving and a fine. The maximum penalty is six months’ imprisonment, even if you haven’t been involved in a collision.

“If you cause a serious injury or fatal accident then not only will you receive a sentence to reflect the result of your actions by the courts, you will also have to live with the consequences for the rest of your life.

“There is an increased risk of you being involved in a collision if you are driving whilst drunk or drugged and the statistics support this.”

As well as carrying out stop checks on the roads, teams will be visiting licensed premises to educate drinkers about the consequences of driving while impaired and encouraging people to plan how they are going to get home from a night.

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Sudbury to post names of motorists charged with impaired driving

A Northern Ontario police department is launching a highly unusual program to publicize the names of all motorists charged with impaired driving, raising concerns it will stigmatize suspects before any guilt has been determined.

The impaired drivers list, which will be released every Tuesday on the force’s web site starting on June 7, is meant to “detect, deter, and prevent the commission of impaired driving,” Frank Elsner, chief of the Greater Sudbury Police Service, said in a press release.

He noted that despite enormous effort to curtail drunk driving, charges continue to rise. In 2009, the city was traumatized when three teens walking along a road were struck and killed by a drunk driver, said Const. Bert Laplame, a police spokesman.

For a time the number of charges seemed to drop but now have begun to rise — so the department felt the need to try something new as a way to stem the problem, he said.

Many Canadian police forces regularly release lists of all charges laid against people facing a range of charges — everything from murder to robbery to assault. But what appears to make Sudbury different is the intention to issue a specific list of just those charged with impaired driving and make that information easily available.

“We recognize that impact drinking and driving can have on communities and that it’s a very difficult task for police to come up with new strategies for combatting this problem,” said Graeme Norton of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. “I think, though, the risk is people are going to assume that [the accused are] guilty of the crime without that person being found guilty in a court.”

There is no real issue when the police take special effort to release the name of an accused in a case that has been followed by the media for months or is of significant public interest, he said. “But for police to selectively publicize names outside of obvious interests of protecting the public seem to me to go too far.”

He said there might be an assumption that every impaired driving case will lead to a conviction, making publicizing the names of the accused less of a civil liberties issue.

“Drunk driving cases can be very complex and there are different ways people can end up not being convicted.”

This is not the first time that police departments in Canada have tried similar tactics. In a number of jurisdictions police have released the names of “johns” as a way to discourage prostitutes and shaming customers.

Two years ago a public list of accused johns was proposed by police in Lethbridge, Alta., and in 2004 Winnipeg police began posting clips of men soliciting sex on the web but with faces and automobile licences blurred.

The most daring attempt to shame potential criminals came in Cornwall, Ont., in 2009 when police began posting lawn signs in front of homes in which drug warrants had been executed and charges laid.

The province’s privacy commissioner ultimately ordered the practice stopped.

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Business owners and entrepreneurs who own any social venue and who are looking to start a cash business can now do there part in the prevention of Drunk Driving. Please visit alcobuddy.com. World's premiere Breathalyzer Vending Machine for more information.