Bill Text: MI SR0126 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Introduced
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-Introduced.html
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. StillEven 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 victimsarising
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.
