Pappas, Mann Introduce the Bipartisan End DWI Act

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01) introduced the End Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Act of 2024. This bipartisan legislation would create a national ignition interlock standard by encouraging states to adopt mandatory first-time offender ignition interlock laws, which help reduce recidivism and improve road safety by ensuring fewer drunk drivers are on the road. Twenty five states, including New Hampshire, already meet the standards outlined in this legislation. 

In the United States, someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 39 minutes, and an average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before their first arrest. Studies have shown that the use of ignition interlocks reduce recidivism by up to 70% in first-time, repeat, and high-risk offenders.

“We must continue to address drunk driving and employ effective strategies to prevent repeated offenses,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation will create a national ignition interlock standard by encouraging states to adopt mandatory first-time offender ignition interlock laws. Twenty-five states, including New Hampshire already have these standards in place, and implementing them nationwide will further reduce repeated drunk driving and safeguard our roadways.”

“Every life has value and is worthy of protection from harm,” said Rep. Mann. “On average, 37 people in America die every day in drunk-driving related car crashes. The End DWI Act of 2024 can reduce this statistic by requiring offenders who drive while intoxicated to use an ignition interlock device for at least six months after their first offense. Studies have shown this preventative practice reduces recidivism by as much 70% among first-time, repeat, and high-risk offenders, in turn reducing their risk to take the lives of innocent Kansans and Americans by driving while intoxicated.”

Organizations supporting this legislation include the Safety and Advocacy for Empowerment (SAFE), Mothers against Drunk Driving, National Safety Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

“The rising tide of impaired driving in recent years should be a wake-up call for policymakers across the nation,” said Colleen Scarneo, a nationally board-certified 30-year veteran forensic toxicologist based in New Hampshire who specializes in criminal investigations involving impaired driving. “We know that simply suspending a driver’s license does little because three of four offenders continue to drive. That is why it is imperative for every state to require ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders to prevent repeat offenses,” said Scarneo, a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists and the National Safety Council’s Alcohol, Drug and Impairment Division. “Taking this action at the federal level will compel the states to act with urgency and save more lives.”

“Drunk driving knows no state borders. It is a nationwide crisis. This legislation takes the same approach as laws MADD has spearheaded over the past four decades that prevent thousands of deaths and injuries every year, including the nationwide 21 minimum drinking age and the .08 blood alcohol content law. While drunk driving deaths have dropped dramatically since MADD’s founding in 1980, they have increased by an unprecedented 33% since 2019. American families deserve safe roads and laws that will help eradicate drunk driving.” - Stacey D. Stewart, CEO, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

"Young drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, mainly because of their lack of skills and experience. Add alcohol to the mix and results are often deadly,” said Scott Myers, Executive Director of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). “Young people are especially at risk when it comes to drunk driving and roadway safety – whether they are drivers, passengers, pedestrians or bicyclists. Forty years ago, when Congress and President Reagan compelled the states to uniformly raise the minimum drinking age to 21, the states swiftly responded and countless lives have been saved since. It is equally important for this Congress to ensure that every state requires ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders to help protect our most vulnerable on our roadways – our youth.” - Scott Myers, Executive Director of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)

“Alcohol-impaired driving continues to be a leading killer on our roadways, contributing to nearly one of every three motor vehicle fatalities. Proven solutions to end these tragic fatalities, injuries and related costs are available; it’s time to take action. One effective approach is state laws requiring all driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenders to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on their vehicle. Yet, after decades of financial incentives for states, many states are still lacking the law. The End DWI Act aims to close these gaps in state laws.  We commend Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Tracey Mann (R-KS) for sponsoring this bill and urge Congress to swiftly pass it.  Every 39 minutes that pass between now and then means another person was killed in a crash involving alcohol impairment. This pain and suffering must and can be stopped.” - Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

“Eliminating alcohol-impaired driving is critical to saving lives on our roadways across the country. Ignition interlocks are a proven policy solution to this preventable issue, and we should use all evidenced-based policy measures to end impaired driving. NSC is thrilled with the bipartisan support for this legislation; we know it will save lives." - Lorraine Martin, President and CEO, National Safety Council.

“With more than 40,000 people dying each year on our nation’s roadways – one-third due to drunk driving, it is time for a swift nationwide response to curb this epidemic of death and destruction. We call on Congress to enact the End DWI Act to encourage each state to require all drunk driving offenders to install state of the art ignition interlock devices to prevent repeat offenses. This national legislation follows the precedent set by President Reagan and a bipartisan Congress when they uniformly raised the minimum drinking age to 21 and erased blood borders between the states — a law that saves countless lives every year. This simple yet effective technology will prevent tragic crashes, protect innocent lives, and keep families whole across our nation.” - Brandy Nannini, Board Member, SAFE coalition.