Passage of Legislation Strengthening North Carolina Ignition Interlock Laws Applauded by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and Responsibility.org

Statement by Chris Swonger, president & CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and Responsibility.org

Interlock laws are a proven and effective means to reduce impaired driving fatalities. States like Arizona, Louisiana, and New Mexico have seen dramatic decreases in drunk driving deaths following recent implementation of strong ignition interlock laws and today, North Carolina is one step closer to strengthening their interlock laws. We are grateful for the coalition of support for S.B. 183, which includes ignition interlock manufacturers, MADD, and traffic safety and criminal justice groups. Thanks to state lawmakers, North Carolina has demonstrated its commitment to preventing impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel—ultimately keeping roads and communities safer. We look forward to Governor Cooper signing this legislation into law.

Background on Legislation

Senate Bill 183 strengthens North Carolina’s current ignition interlock laws by expanding their use across the state to prevent impaired driving, and ultimately save lives.

The passage of S.B.183 was aided by the work of a statewide coalition that included the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, NC Conference of District Attorneys, the Attorney General’s Office, NC Advocates for Justice, Division of Public Health, Department of Motor Vehicles, the Administrative Office of the Courts, Coalition of Ignition Interlock Manufacturers, Responsibility.org and DISCUS with meetings facilitated by the UNC School of Government and endorsed by the NC Sheriff's Association, NC Spirits Association and the Distillers Association of North Carolina.

S.B 183 makes program improvements to North Carolina’s ignition interlock law and instructs a study committee to consider further improvements to increase interlock usage with DUI offenders and other systemic improvements to reducing drunk driving.

Thirty-five states, including North Carolina, now have ignition interlock legislation in place.

 

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About The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS)

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is the leading voice and advocate for distilled spirits in the U.S., advocating on legislative, regulatory, and public affairs issues impacting the distilled spirits sector at the local, state, federal and international levels. DISCUS members are committed to responsibility and encourage adults who drink to do so in moderation.

About Responsibility.org

Responsibility.org is a national not-for-profit that aims to eliminate drunk driving and work with others to end all impaired driving, eliminate underage drinking, and empowers adults to make a lifetime of responsible alcohol choices as part of a balanced lifestyle. Responsibility.org is funded by the following distillers: Bacardi USA, Inc.; Beam Suntory Inc.; Brown-Forman; Campari Group, DIAGEO; Edrington, Mast-Jägermeister US, Inc.; Moët Hennessy USA; Ole Smoky, LLC; Pernod Ricard USA; and William Grant & Sons. For 30 years, Responsibility.org has transformed countless lives through programs that bring individuals, families, and communities together to inspire a lifetime of responsible alcohol choices. To learn more, please visit www.Responsibility.org.