Illinois named five-star state by MADD for efforts to keep drunk drivers off roads

[January 11, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider announced on Thursday that the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization has given Illinois its highest rating for drunk-driving prevention, as it named Illinois a five-star state for drunk driving prevention in its 2014 Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving report, released Thursday.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from MADD," Schneider said. "Here in Illinois, we have zero tolerance for drunk driving, and along with law enforcement throughout the state, we work hard to put programs in place to keep our motorists safe from drunk drivers."

One of the reasons for Illinois' five-star rating is the all-offender ignition interlock law that went into effect in 2009.

"MADD applauds Illinois on its continued efforts to keep roads safe. Sobriety checkpoints and continued refinement of the ignition interlock program are proven countermeasures to continue saving lives," the MADD report said.

The five stars are awarded based on Illinois using all of the following countermeasures against driving under the influence:

• Requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

• Conducting sobriety checkpoints.

• Creating enhanced penalties for those who drive drunk with children in the vehicle. Participating in "no-refusal" activities for those suspected of drunk driving.

• Using administrative license revocation for drunk driving offenders.

For more information on the report and to read the entire document, visit
http://www.madd.org/blog/2014/january/
2014-report-to-the-nation.html.

[Text from Illinois Department of Transportation file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]