Release Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009 1:40 p.m
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and State Farm Insurance held a news conference Tuesday, December 8th to urge the public to take part in their “Tie One on for Safety” campaign. The campaign encourages people to place a red ribbon on their vehicles as a pledge to drive safe, sober and buckled up. Speakers at the conference included MADD Virginia Program Manager Chris Konschak, State Farm Insurance Agent Sharon Lynch, Virginia Beach Delegate Sal Iaquinto, Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey Bryant, USFF Fleet Master Chief Tom Howard and MPO Brad Wesseler with the Virginia Beach Police Department.
In its 23rd year, “Tie One on for Safety” is MADD’s longest running campaign. It is emphasized between Thanksgiving and New Years, the most dangerous months on the roads due to drunk driving.
A long time champion of stiffer DUI laws, Delegate Sal Iaquinto, believes drunk driving is a problem that is 100% preventable if drivers make plans to have a safe, sober ride home. “Driving is a privilege, not a right. Living is a right. You shouldn’t have your life taken because someone made the choice to drive under the influence,” Iaquinto said. Iaquinto will introduce legislation to broaden the requirement for ignition interlocks for DUI offenders.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey Bryant agrees with that legislation. “Today’s technology makes drunk driving a preventable crime,” Bryant said. Bryant thanked Delegate Iaquinto and MADD for their efforts. “Twenty-five hundred people are arrested yearly in Virginia Beach for DUI,” Bryant added. He also pointed out that accounts for about 10% of the state-wide total.
Officer Brad Wesseler, a member of the Special Operations’ DUI Enforcement Team, was injured by a drunk driver last December. He stated, “The holidays are a time to spend with love ones, not in jail for DUI or mourning the loss of a loved one.” Wesseler announced that the Virginia Beach Police Department, along with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, fully supports MADD’s “Tie One on for Safety” campaign.
Red MADD ribbons are available at local State Farm offices.
Please contact Julie Pickell if additional information is desired.
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