Bill Text: MI SR0126 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Enrolled

Michigan Senate Resolution 126 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: A resolution commemorating March 16, 2010, as a Day of Remembrance for Victims of Drunk Drivers in Michigan.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-11 - Adopted [SR0126 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2009-SR0126-Enrolled.html

SR-126, As Adopted by Senate, March 11, 2010

Senator Switalski offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 126.

A resolution commemorating March 16, 2010, as a Day of Remembrance for Victims of Drunk Drivers in Michigan.

Whereas, According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, one person is killed in the United States by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. More than one person per minute is injured in crashes where alcohol is present, totaling over half a million people per year nationwide early in this decade; and

Whereas, About 1 in every 3 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident at some time in their life; and

Whereas, ~~Since 1980 and~~ Since the founding of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 1980, alcohol-related traffic fatalities nationwide have declined by about 50 percent. Still~~Even so~~, more than 15,000 lives ~~are lost~~ across the country and over 300 lives in Michigan are lost yearly due to alcohol-related crashes; and

Whereas, Ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and reduce the incidences of drunk driving and the attendant injuries and deaths have been effective. For example, fatal crashes involving alcohol have decreased from a peak of 63 percent of all fatalities to 30 percent currently. However, despite best efforts, it is estimated that those arrested for first-time drunk driving charges have on average driven drunk 87 times prior to being arrested; and.

Whereas, Michigan has seen a significant decline in the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths, due in no small part to the efforts of MADD and Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD). From a ~~peak of 63% of all fatal crashes involving alcohol in 1982, to now just over 30%, and from~~ high of greater than 870 individual deaths per year now down to about 325 per-year alcohol-related traffic deaths ~~annually~~ in our state, these two organizations have helped to save hundreds of thousands of lives; and

Whereas, Despite these and other efforts to eliminate drunk driving, perpetrators persist. Their victims are often innocent bystanders or occupants of a random passing vehicle. ~~and lose their lives due to no fault or negligence of their own. These tragic losses, often of young persons or families, are impossible to justify and difficult to understand.~~ If by continuing to make public the issue and shedding light on the problem, we can help save lives and recognize the suffering of victims, as well as their surviving relatives and friends ~~to reduce the occurrence while at the same time helping the friends and relatives of the victims grieve~~, then perhaps some slight positive can be taken from the grief and horror ~~befalling the victims~~arising from these senseless acts; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That March 16, 2010, be commemorated as a Day of Remembrance for Victims of Drunk Drivers in Michigan. May the families and friends of those lost to drunk drivers know of our deep sense of outrage for the senselessness of their loss and of our commitment to keep the memories of their loved ones alive on this day and for the rest of the year; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the state offices of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Students Against Drunk Driving with our thanks for their continuing efforts.