About Virginia. Law Enforcement and the Laws

Transcription

1 Law Enforcement and the Laws About Virginia Winter 2009 MADD Honors Virginia Beach Prosecutor with National Award Charisse Black, Senior Assistant Commonwealth s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach was one of fifteen people and law enforcement agencies nationwide to be awarded a MADD National President s Award in The Award presented to Black was in the category: Criminal Justice Award Prosecutor. The award was presented on behalf of MADD National President Laura Dean- Mooney by Christopher Konschak, Executive Director of MADD Virginia, and Kaye Walsh, State Vice Chairwoman of MADD Virginia. According to a statement issued by MADD National, Black received this award because of her extensive knowledge of current Virginia DUI laws, thorough collection of facts, and ability to successfully convict the majority of DUI cases. Also cited was Black s diligence in notifying MADD of court dates involving DUI manslaughter or injury cases, which enabled MADD to ensure that representatives were present in court to provide support to victims and their families. Black joined the staff of thevirginia Beach Commonwealth s Attorney s in October She currently works on the 2nd Precinct Trial Team. Harvey Bryant, Commonwealth s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach stated, I m very proud of Charisse. Her efforts and those of other prosecutors in my office have been directed at seeing that those who drive drunk are convicted and punished without delay. Charisse embodies the get tough attitude that this office has toward drunk drivers. She is the only prosecutor being recognized with this award nationwide this year, and one of just three Virginians to ever receive a MADD National award. Bryant added, I also applaud MADD VA; their courtroom monitoring program is spreading across the nation. In This Issue... VA recipient of MADD Presidents Award... Page 1 Ignition Interlocks... Page 1 Law Enforcement Awards... Page 3 CEDD - 3 rd Anniversary... Page 10 Checkpoint Strikeforce... Page Legislative Session... Page 12

2 Ignition Interlocks Although the technology exists and there is public support, laws have not yet been passed nationwide that mandate ignition interlock technology for all convicted DUI offenders. Although Virginia was one of the first states to pass legislation requiring ignition interlock for DUI convictions with over.15 BAC, MADD needs your help getting legislation passed in Virginia that will require ignition interlock devices for all DUI convictions. Interlock Facts: Research shows that those convicted of drunk driving for the first time have driven drunk more than 87 times before their first arrest. Two-thirds of drunk driving offenders continue to drive even when their license is suspended. In 2008, there were 1.4 million DUI/DWI arrests but only 180,000 vehicles with ignition interlock nationwide. Only 1 in 10 convicted drunk drivers each year has an interlock on their vehicle. In 2008, 11,773 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver with a BAC of.08 or higher in the US; 319 of those deaths were in Virginia. Source: Studies have shown that ignition interlocks, used with treatment, hard license suspensions, and in vehicles until they are no longer needed, can decrease repeat offenses by 64%. A study released in October 2009, entitled Attitudes Toward In-Vehicle Advanced Alcohol Detection Technology found that: 84% of survey respondents supported requiring convicted DWI offenders to put alcohol ignition interlocks in their vehicles. 64% said that having advanced alcohol detection in all vehicles is a good or very good idea, assuming the technology is reliable. 30% responded that advanced alcohol detection is a bad idea; among those respondents, 1/3 cited concerns about privacy or government interference and 20% said not all drivers needed to be screened. 42% percent of respondents who drive said they would want an advanced alcohol detection device in their next vehicle if it were available as an option at a reasonable price. Of the 54% who said they did not want a device, 44% said they do not drink alcohol so it would not be useful. Most people said that a price less than $500 would be reasonable. The report concluded that the majority of the US population is receptive to the idea of having advanced alcohol detection devices in all vehicles to prevent people from driving with an illegal BAC. (Full report available at: Currently, only twelve states require or provide strong incentives for ignition interlocks for all persons convicted of DUI - Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, New York, New Mexico, Utah and Washington. California has instituted a major pilot program covering four counties. In Virginia in 2008, 31,469 drivers were convicted of DUI. Virginia code states that the court will require that an ignition interlock device be installed on every vehicle owned/co-owned or operated as a condition of restricted driving privileges or full restoration of driving privileges for convictions of: -- Second DUI conviction within ten years, -- Third DUI conviction within ten years, -- First DUI conviction with a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher. Virginia DMV requires that an ignition interlock device be installed as a condition of restricted driving privileges or full restoration of driving privileges, even if the court does not require it, for: -- Second conviction for DUI within five years, -- Third or subsequent DUI within ten years, -- Conviction for three separate DUI offenses within ten years. Convictions for a first offense violation of the ignition interlock restriction or other restricted license provisions will result in a DMV revocation for one year; two or more convictions will result in a three-year revocation. Residents of Virginia and the other 37 states that do not yet have or require strong incentives for Ignition Interlock after a first DUI conviction can go online at for instructions on how to contact the appropriate legislators in support of mandating ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders. Pa g e 2

3 MADD Recognizes Outstanding Law Enforcement rs MADD is proud to have hosted ( or co-hosted) law enforcement award ceremonies recognizing officers from across Virginia for their outstanding work on DUI enforcement, training, education and related prevention initiatives. This year there were 10 Law Enforcement Award Ceremonies. Awardees for 2009 Abingdon Police r Benjamin L. Campbell r Brian K. Stainker Albemarle County Police Jason Marden MADD Northern Virginia, MADD Loudoun and Fairfax ASAP ceremony, held May 8, Master of Ceremonies: Bob Marbourg, traffic reporter, WTOP. Keynote speaker: John W. Foust, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. MADD Southside, Chesapeake Bay ASAP and Southeastern ASAP ceremony, held September 3, Keynote speakers: Dana G. Schrad, Executive Director, Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and John Jones, Executive Director, Virginia Sheriff s Association. MADD Shenandoah Valley, District 9 ASAP, Old Dominion ASAP and Rockingham/Harrisonburg ASAP ceremony, held September 14, Keynote speaker: David Kelly, Former Acting Administrator/Chief of Staff NHTSA. MADD Bristol and Southwest Virginia ASAP ceremony, held September 16, Keynote speaker: Honorable Sage Johnson, Chief Judge, 28th Judicial District. MADD Richmond, John Tyler ASAP and Capital Area ASAP ceremony, held September 21, Keynote Speaker: Bryan T. Norwood, Chief of Police, City of Richmond. MADD Central Virginia, Valley ASAP and James River ASAP ceremony, held September 24, Keynote speaker: Brian O Connor, Head Coach, University of Virginia Baseball Team. MADD Virginia, Rappahannock ASAP, and Tri River ASAP ceremony, held September 25, Keynote speaker: Eric Olsen, Deputy Commonwealth s Attorney, Stafford County. MADD Smith Mountain Lake ceremony, held September 29, Keynote speaker: David Moseley, Manager of Transportation Safety Services at DMV. September 3, 2009 Award Winners - Virginia Beach MADD Peninsula and Peninsula ASAP ceremony, held October 19, Keynote speaker: Delegate Jeion A. Ward, 92nd District. MADD Virginia and Southside Virginia ASAP ceremony, held November 5, Keynote Speaker: Carter Hill, Chair, MADD VA/DC Advisory Council. Alberta Police r Michael Brown Alleghany County Sheriff s Corporal Chad D. Wickline Alexandria Police Captain Eddie Reyes Amherst County Sheriff s Deputy John R. Grieser Arlington County Police r Ronald Grannis, Jr. r Jonathan Edwardsen Ashland Police Kristopher Burnette Bedford City Police Investigator Timothy Stanley, Jr. Augusta County Sheriff s J. Monty Sellers Bath County Sheriff s Deputy William Dean Sexton Big Stone Gap Police 1st Sergeant Joseph E. Phillips Botetourt County Sheriff s Deputy Matthew T. Ward Bristol Police r Katie Necessary Pa g e 3

4 Bristol Sheriff s Deputy Greg Vincill MADD Recognizes Outstanding Emporia Police Matthew Clary Brunswick Sheriff s Sergeant William Smith Buchanan County Sheriff s Deputy Brandon Hall Vicky Jones, Certified Crime Prevention Specialist Buena Vista Police Patrolman J.W. Miller Campbell County Sheriff s Sergeant Sam Green Caroline County Sheriff s Deputy Warner D. Lipscomb, III Carroll County Sheriff s Master Deputy Bobby Lyons Charlottesville Police Shawn Marshall Chase City Police Patrolman William Stembridge Chesapeake Police Sgt. Delores L. Millington r James Garrett Chesterfield County Police Gary T. Bailey Christiansburg Police Patrol r Stephen S. Swecker Clarke County Sheriff s Deputy Sheriff Allen Mason Pa g e 4 September 14, 2009 Award Winners - Smith Mountain Lake Clarksville Police Corporal Joseph Carey, Jr. Colonial Heights Police Travis J. Karr Covington Police Corporal Craig Bowen Culpeper Police r Jeffrey Dodson, Jr. Culpeper Sheriff s Deputy Greg Butler Danville Police DPD Corporal Ronald B. McCormick Dayton Police r Phillip Cross September 16, 2009 Award Winners - Southwest Virginia Elkton Police r Herbert Kite, Jr. Fairfax County Police PFC Matthew Bell r Michael Greene PFC Matthew Jewett PFC Jonathan Luety r Ali Sepehri PFC John Spata r Daniel Spital r Matthew Stanfield r Joseph Woloszyn Fairfax Police PFC Robert Mignon Falls Church City Police MPO Alan Freed Fauquier County Sheriff s Deputy Chad Brubaker Corporal Sean Healy Deputy Jonathan Waddell Fluvanna County Sheriff s Aaron Hurd Fort Lee Police Ronald L. Napper Jorge L. Prek-Ruiz Ronald H. Fregeolle, II Franklin Police r Joshua Butts r Quentin M. Livingston Franklin County Sheriff s Deputy Brandt R. Gawor Front Royal Police r Landin Waller Gate City Police Asst. Chief Michael Delano

5 Law Enforcement rs George Mason University Police r Andrew Galle r Emily Ross Gloucester County Sheriff s Sergeant Jason L. Klink Goochland Sheriff s Joseph E. Warren Gordonsville Police Sergeant Gregg W. Stang Greene County Sheriff s William Duncan Halifax Sheriff s Deputy T. Craig Spencer Hampton Police Patrol r Steven Carpenter Sr. Patrol r David Giles Patrol r Lewis Jones Patrol r Nicholas Leaver Patrol r Bryan Rowe Hanover Sheriff s Christopher C. Hatcher Michael T. Tilley Harrisonburg Police r Michael R. Gangloff Henrico County Division of Police R. G. Netherland, III W. H. Rollins J. R. Strohman Henry County Sheriff s Deputy S.A. McFarling Herndon Police Corporal Jay Choi r James Rider Hopewell Police David Rodriguez Ryan Fitzsimmons Na shayla Nelson September 21, 2009 Award Winners - Richmond Independence Police Corporal Matthew B. Adams Isle of Wight County Sheriff s Deputy Sheriff Steven Borst Deputy Sheriff William Fordham James City County Police r Daniel Jackson r James Miller r Jeremy Morris r David Peters r Ryan Shelton September 24, 2009 Award Winners - Central Virginia James Madison University Police r Edward L. Rader, Jr. King George County Sheriff s Deputy Timothy W. Lyons King William Sheriff s Deputy Brian K. Wright Lake Monticello Police Reinhard K. Hinz Lawrenceville Police Assistant Chief B. N. Newcomb Lee County Sheriff s Sergeant Andrew Mc- Queen Leesburg Police r Robert Munger Lexington Police r I, R.D. Condry Loudoun County Sheriff s Deputy Eric Cote Deputy Jason Totaro Louisa County Sheriff s Mark Foster Lynchburg Police r Jonathan B. Walker MADD, Northern Virginia Chapter r John Wayne Moss Madison County Sheriff s Deputy Randall Richards Manassas Park Police r Benjamin Dillard Marion Police Sergeant Raymond W. Thomas Pa g e 5

6 Martinsville Police r Eddie Dillard MADD Recognizes Outstanding Patrick County Sheriff s Lt. Robert Spencer Coleman Powhatan Sheriff s Danny Smith Massanutten Police r Aaron L.C. Siever Mecklenburg Sheriff s Deputy Justin Steffey Montgomery County Sheriff s Sergeant Timothy D. Shephard National Park Services Park Ranger Peter J. Schula Nelson County Sheriff s Becky Adcock September 25, 2009 Award Winners - Stratford Pentagon Police r Jason Cummiskey r Todd Green r Trisha Treharn Prince George County Police Eric McQuage Rodney Woodson Richlands Police Patrol r C.J. Stanley Richmond Police Daniel E. Burgess David Galyon Derrick Longoria Robert C. Marland Roanoke City Police r Roger Fuller New Kent County Sheriff s John J. McLaughlin, III Ryan P. Shobe New Market Police r Michael Miller Newport News Police r Paul W. Dixon r Joseph M. Ducey r John T. Hughes r Hak-Jai Kim r Scott A. Mounger Norfolk Police r David Benjamin r II William E. Dangle Norton Police r J.R. McReynolds Orange County Sheriff s Deputy Sheriff Michael DeClue Orange Police r Brian Rees Prince William County Police Lieutenant Scott Dillon r David Ehrhardt r Marc Grayson r Curt Redlin r Jeremy Schenck Poquoson Police r Jason Keller October 19, 2009 Award Winners - Peninsula Portsmouth Police r Jane Foster r Eric Sjobert Roanoke County Police r Billy Smith, Jr. Rockbridge County Sheriff s Deputy William E. Mays Deputy J. Scott Sorrells Rockingham County Sheriff s Deputy Jason R. Fox Rocky Mount Police Corporal Andy Pendleton Radford University Police r James H. Belcher Salem Police Sr. r Colin Hudson Scott County Sheriff s Lt. Chris Davidson Deputy Randy Davis Deputy Alan Hammonds Pa g e 6

7 Law Enforcement rs Shenandoah County Sheriff s Deputy Sheriff Rebecca Mauck Deputy Sheriff Jamie Thompson Smithfield Police r Thomas Jones r Jared Vance South Boston Police Corporal Stacy Warf South Hill Police Sergeant R. W. Edmonds Spotsylvania County Sheriff s Deputy Thomas Medina Stafford County Sheriff s Deputy William T. Johnson Staunton Police Michael G. Berbes Strasburg Police r Matthew Glovier r Matthew Moats Suffolk Police r Eric Crawley r Jason Price Tazewell County Sheriff s Corporal Tim Carroll Tazewell Police r Darren Jessee Timberville Police Patrolman Larry E. Crider, Jr United States Park Police r Pentti Gillespie University of Richmond Police Eric J. Beatty University of Virginia Police Jeremy Tabler November 5, 2009 Award Winners - Southside VASAP Virginia Commonwealth University Police Douglas Dawson Edgar Greer Vienna Police r Lee Monaco r Stephanie Wilkerson Vinton Police MPO David J. Cooper Virginia Beach Police MPO Al Mills MPO Steven Shunk Virginia Beach Police Traffic Safety Unit MPO (James) Mike Baker MPO Bradley Wesseler Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries Conservation PO Brandon D. Edwards Sr. r Frank Neighbors Virginia State Police Tpr Luis A. Avile Tpr Arthur Ball M. Hunter Birckhead Chad Birckhead William M.Boelt Tpr Robert S. Bowers, Jr. Tpr Ernest D. Boyd Sr Tpr A.W. Boyd Tpr J. Todd Brendel Sr Tpr Bradford A. Burgett Tpr Richard Caldon Tpr Chuck Campbell Tpr Douglas S. Charles Tpr Travis C. Chattin Anthony P. Clore Tpr S.M. Cochran Tpr Christopher Cooper Tpr II Sherrod D. Covil Tpr Gregory Cox Tpr Charles J. Crane Tpr Jason L. Crowder Tpr II Troy H. Dalton Tpr Phillip J. Deel Tpr Jonathan T. Dudley Sr Tpr Richard L. Edwards Steve W. Escobar Benjamin T. Farmer Tpr Timothy M. Ferguson Tpr II Gregory F. Finch Sr Tpr David M. Fisher Kevin S. Frazier Billy S. Gentry Tpr Gregory Goldstein Zane A. Grey Tpr Michael Hackney Daniel W. Hamrick Sr Tpr K.N. Harvel Tpr Randy L. Hearl Tpr Benjamin J. Hobbs Tpr Daniel House Tpr Douglas R. Hubert Tpr Kurt Johnson Tpr G. W. Johnson, Jr. Tpr Charles King, III Master Tpr Joe K. Kinsle Tpr Cory Kusick Tpr John J. Lafond Tpr Robert N. Lawson Andrew J. Lewis Nicholas L. Lomasney Tpr Kevin R. Martin Tpr Kevin Martin Tpr Brandon S. May Tpr Richard A. McClanahan Tpr Patrick W. Meade Tpr Michael Middleton Tpr James R Mullins Pa g e 7

8 MADD Recognizes Outstanding Law Enforcement rs Sr Tpr T.L. Neece Tpr Eric W. Newby Master Tpr David E. Olinger Tpr Kenneth L. Palmer Tpr Kevin G. Perrigan Sr Tpr G.A. Power Donnie C. Ratliff Tpr II D.M. Reece Tpr David L. Reedy Tpr Frederick Richens Tpr Richard N. Russell Tpr II Logan J. Saunders Tpr Thomas H. Seagle Tpr Daniel J. Senters Tpr A. R. Seward- Richmond Chapter A. R Seward -Southside Chapter Timothy M. Simmons Sean A. Simmons Tpr Benjamin Sisk Tpr II Jeremy Smith Tpr James R. Street Tpr Kenneth Terry Elliot K. Umberger Tpr Landon B. Umbergert Tpr Christopher D. Vance Tpr Adam S. Waybright Tpr II Lee C. White Tpr William J. Wilborn, Jr. Tpr Daniel T. Wilson Tpr Russell Wood Tpr Joseph Zyra, Jr. Pa g e 8 Warren County Sheriff s Deputy Tyson Romer Warrenton Police Sergeant Tom Kamerer Washington County Sheriff s Deputy Thomas Dula Waynesboro Police Christopher Hilliard Weber City Police Patrol Steve Smith Westmoreland County Sheriff s Deputy Javier E. Molinares Williamsburg Police Depatment r Laura Ammons r Bruce Johnson r Scott Rose Lt. Rick Wanamaker r Jon Wagner Winchester Police Sergeant Robert S. Gaither Sergeant Justin B. Meredith Corporal Timothy P. Schraff Sergeant Wallace K. Stotlemyer Wise County Sheriff s Deputy Sheriff Eddie Demory Deputy Sheriff Jonas Rileys Sergeant Charles Sanders Wise Police Patrolman Beldon Mullins Wythe County Sheriff s Deputy Stephen Arnold York-Poquoson Sheriff s Deputy Benjamin Farr Deputy Eric Har Deputy James Hazelwood Deputy First Class Jason Houston Deputy Henry Reichle, III 2010 Legislative Session Ignition Interlock Virginia was one of the first states to pass legislation requiring ignition interlocks for DUI convictions for BAC s over.15. We need your help to get legislation passed to require ignition interlocks for all DUI convictions. Delegate Sal Iaquinto is sponsoring a bill that makes ignition interlocks mandatory for all DUI offenders. This bill provides that a person who is convicted of DUI is required to have an ignition interlock on the first offense, and any subsequent offense, as a condition of a restricted license. Currently, the requirement for an interlock is only imposed upon a second offense or when the offender s BAC is above 0.15 percent on the first offense. (Source: For more information on ignition interlock, see article page 2 and visit Open Container Federally compliant open container laws prohibit the possession of any open alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle. Virginia does not have a federally compliant open container law; currently Virginia legislation allows open containers of alcohol in the passenger areas of cars, making it very easy for a drinking driver to pass the alcohol to a passenger or put it in the backseat if stopped by law enforcement. Delegate Bob Purkey introduces an open container bill (Continues page 10)

9 Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving Celebrates 3rd Year On November 20th, MADD celebrated the 3rd anniversary of its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. Here is a progress report on the four elements of the Campaign: Support for High Visibility Law Enforcement. The launch for the nationwide holiday crackdown of Over the Limit, Under Arrest was December 14th. MADD successfully urged Congress to provide accompanying TV ads. We continue to advocate for sobriety checkpoints in all fifty states, and supports full funding for law enforcement budgets. MADD conducts Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremonies across the country to honor the extraordinary work of the men and women of law enforcement. Ignition Interlocks for all Convicted Drunk Drivers. Starting with one state in 2005 (New Mexico) there are now12 states with requirements for interlocks at.08 BAC. California has initiated a major pilot program covering four counties. Results from New Mexico and Arizona are very strong with fatality reductions of 35 percent and 33 percent respectively. See page 2 for more information on ignition interlocks. Voluntary Exploration of Advanced Technologies. The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety ( ACTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA) have entered into a cooperative research agreement to explore the feasibility, potential benefits of, and the public policy challenges associated with a more widespread use of in-vehicle technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving. Aftermarket ignition interlocks have been used successfully among convicted drunk drivers to significantly reduce the incidence of impaired driving. However, deployment of the current technology on a more widespread basis as a preventative measure is not likely to occur because drivers are required to provide a breath sample each and every time before starting the vehicle. To be acceptable for use among the general public, including those who do not drink and drive, alcohol detection technologies must be far less intrusive they must not impede sober drivers from starting their vehicles. They would need to be capable of rapidly and accurately determining and measuring alcohol in the blood. They would also need to be small, reliable, durable, repeatable, maintenance free, and relatively inexpensive. The technical challenges in meeting these goals are substantial; however, the potential benefits to society are compelling. It has been estimated that almost 9,000 road traffic deaths could be prevented every year if alcohol detection devices were used in all vehicles to prevent alcohol-impaired drivers from driving their vehicles. To achieve these goals, a step-by-step, data-driven process will be followed to ensure that effective technologies are developed. Technological solutions can be effective only if the driving public who use the technologies understand and accept them. Only when technology meets the exacting standards described above and are coupled with public acceptance, will consideration be given to applying it more widely. (Source: dadss.org/) Three technology companies are now under contract to develop proof of concept devices that will unobtrusively and effectively detect when the driver is over the illegal limit of.08 BAC: Autoliv Development AB of Vårgårda, Sweden, is developing an in-vehicle alcohol detection system will measure alcohol from the exhaled breath of the driver; Alcohol Countermeasure Systems, Inc. of Toronto, Canada, is researching sensors that measure ethanol emanating from the driver by simultaneously measuring the concentration of alcohol and CO2 in the cabin air of the vehicle in the near proximity of the driver; and TruTouch Technologies, Inc. of Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is developing a prototype that uses near infrared (NIR) absorption spectroscopy to measure alcohol in skin tissue. Design Prototypes are expected to be available by summer Public Support. The elimination of drunk driving will only be achieved with the full support of the American public. Studies released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the AAA Foundation in 2009 found public support for Ignition Interlocks in all vehicles in addition to those of people convicted of drunk driving. Support our efforts and get additional information about contacting your legislator by visiting Source: Pa g e 9

10 CHECKPOINT STRIKEFORCE 2008 FACTS In 2008, 43-percent of Virginia s traffic fatalities (354) were alcohol related. This represents a six-percent decrease in the number of alcohol related traffic fatalities. The number of alcohol related traffic fatalities in 2008 is among the lowest in a decade in Virginia Nationally, alcohol related traffic fatalities at.08 BAC (blood alcohol concentration) or above decreased 9.7 percent From 13,041 in 2007 to 11,773 in In 2008, 25,758 persons were tested with BAC of.08 percent or higher in Virginia. Virginia in 2008, nearly 80-percent (79.36%) were male. State and/or local law enforcement agencies are planning to conduct one sobriety checkpoint/and/or saturation patrol every week throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, through the end of Checkpoint Strikeforce is a research-based, zero tolerance initiative within the Mid-Atlantic States designed to catch and arrest drunk drivers via sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, as well as to educate the public about the dangers of drunk driving. Males between the ages of 21 and 35 are the primary target audience. This demographic group is typically harder to reach with public awareness campaigns and statistically at the highest risk of drunk driving. The grant is supported locally by a grant from the Virginia of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety. Law Enforcement Component Last year in Virginia there were over 1,429 sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols which resulted in 45,558 DUI arrests, averaging 125 arrests a day. Of those convicted for driving under the influence in Aggressively deployed sobriety checkpoints can result in a 20% reduction in alcohol related traffic fatalities. Sobriety Checkpoints are a highly targeted way to fight drunk driving; they are strategically timed and located where drunk driving is more likely to occur, making them amongst the most effective tool to stop drunk driving. Source: media/09vafact.doc 2010 Legislative Session - cont. every legislative session. It provides that no person shall possess an alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle upon a public highway of the Commonwealth in other than the manufacturer s unopened, original container. The bill punishes violators with a civil penalty of $25.Visit to learn how you can help him this year. Primary Seatbelt Law MADD is a proponent of primary seatbelt legislation. Seatbelts save lives and are your best defense in a drunk driving crash. For every percentage point the national seatbelt usage rate increases, an additional 280 lives are saved per year. Every state but New Hampshire requires its citizens to wear seatbelts. Unfortunately, over half of US states have secondary enforcement laws, meaning that a law enforcement officer has to pull someone over for a different violation and only then is able to write an additional citation for a seatbelt violation. Virginia has a secondary seatbelt law, and we need a primary seatbelt law. At the time of printing, we are not aware of any legislation for a primary seatbelt law. For more information on primary seatbelt legislation, visit Driving/Drunk-Driving/laws/law.aspx?law=8. Page 10

11 MADD MADD Virginia 5310 Markel Road., Suite 101 Richmond, VA Phone: (804) Toll Free: MADD Fax: (804) Web site: State Staff MADD VA Program Manager Chris R. Konschak Administrative & Technology Asst. M. Abby Amalbert Program Specialist Cristi C. Cousins Development r Ashley D. Langford Clerical Assistants Barbara Dickerson Nancy Foster Affiliate Northern Virginia Chapter (Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William counties; Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park) 1041 Sterling Rd., Suite 105 Herndon, VA Phone: (703) Fax: (703) NorthernVirginia.VA@madd.org MADD About Virginia is distributed free of charge to MADD members, donors, volunteers, and others interested in MADD s mission. V i r g i n i a Community Action Sites Blue Ridge CAS (Amherst, Campbell Counties; Lynchburg City) Bristol CAS (Bristol City and Washington County) Central Virginia CAS (Albemarle, Augusta, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange counties; Charlottesville, Staunton, Waynesboro cities) Loudoun County CAS (Loudoun County) Peninsula CAS (York County and Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg cities) Richmond Area CAS (Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Powhatan, Prince George counties; Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, Richmond cities) Shenandoah Valley CAS (Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Warren Counties, Front Royal and Winchester cities) Smith Mtn. Lake CAS (Bedford, Botetourt, Franklin, Montgomery, Roanoke counties) Southside CAS (Chesapeake, Norfolk, Porstmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach) MADD National 511 E. John Carpenter Fwy., Suite 700 Irving, TX Toll Free: Victim Services: MADD-HELP Web site: For information about the above areas or for areas not covered by the above, please contact the State. Join MADD today and make a difference tomorrow. no membership fee Membership and Volunteer Application MADD is an organization of victims, survivors, and concerned citizens determined to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from driving under the influence. As a participant, you will be entitled to any and all of the services MADD has to offer including newsletters, magazines, and updates on current legislation and drunk driving information. Your Information Name Address City State Zip Home phone I am a victim/survivor of drunk driving I prefer not to receive MADD newsletters Make a contribution* $40 $75 $250 $1,000 Other Check Visa MC Discover AMEX Card#: Exp. Date Signature: *Financial contributions to MADD are tax deductible. Page 11

12 MADD Virginia 5310 Markel Road., Suite 101 Richmond, VA Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Richmond, VA Permit #2358 MADD s Mission To stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. Walk Like MADD May 22, 2010 Dorey Park Richmond, VA For more information please call or or go to