ARLINGTON, Va. – Today, Chris R. Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and Responsibility.org announced support for the bipartisan Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act of 2021. Responsibility.org and DISCUS applauded the leadership of sponsor Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and lead co-sponsor Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) for introducing this bill. Swonger urged Congress to swiftly pass the legislation by including it in the infrastructure bill.
The Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act of 2021 would maximize the use of innovative programs and technology to eliminate multiple substance impaired driving and allow states to better identify, monitor, or treat impaired drivers.
“DISCUS and Responsibility.org are committed to eliminating impaired driving from America’s roadways,” said Swonger. “The risk of crashes increases exponentially when drivers are impaired from multiple substances, and this issue is only now starting to be acknowledged and addressed as it continues to be a growing problem for states. The process of identifying, prosecuting, and treating these high-risk offenders requires specialized training, better data collection and new technologies and countermeasures. We are confident this bill will help states build a foundation for addressing this ongoing problem.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released 2020 preliminary traffic fatality data showing a 7 percent increase in deaths despite a 13 percent decrease in vehicle miles traveled. Last year’s increase was the biggest increase in traffic deaths in 13 years and NHTSA identified causes as failure to wear seat belts, speeding and impaired driving. More detail will be available in the fall.
Additional trauma center research from NHTSA showed nearly one in four seriously or fatally injured drivers tested positive for multiple categories of drugs.
In addition to Responsibility.org and DISCUS, supporters of the legislation include AAA, the Beer Institute, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation (CPEAR), Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the National District Attorneys Association, the National Safety Council, the National Sheriffs Association and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).
For more information on and resources to help prevent multiple substance impaired driving, visit www.stopHRID.org.
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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 U.S.A., Inc.; Beam Suntory Inc.; Brown-Forman; DIAGEO; Edrington, Mast-Jägermeister US, Inc.; Moët Hennessy USA; Ole Smoky, LLC; and Pernod Ricard USA. 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.
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.