Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 04, 2022 For First Time Since 2008, More Than 11,000 Killed in Alcohol-Related Crashes Drunk Driving Deaths Spiked by 14% During Pandemic Despite Reduced Traffi c DALLAS – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is horrifi ed by the drastic and unacceptable increase in the loss of life on America’s roads during the pandemic, when fewer cars were on the road. According to new data released today by the National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-related deaths spiked 14% from 2019 to 2020 while vehicle miles traveled decreased by 11%. The 11,654 people killed in alcohol-related crashes is the most since 2008. Overall, traffi c crashes killed 38,824 people, more than any year since 2007. According to NHTSA, 45% of traffi c deaths involved at least one of three hazardous behaviors: impaired driving, speeding or not wearing a seat belt. “It’s heartbreaking to learn that in addition to the tragedy and disruption caused by the pandemic, families and communities are being irreparably traumatized by the 100% preventable, violent crime of drunk driving,” said MADD National President Alex Otte. “NHTSA’s new data shows the human cost of complacency and the need for drunk driving prevention technology on all new vehicles and increased equitable traffi c safety enforcement.” MADD urges Secretary Buttigieg to convene a national Call to Action meeting as soon as possible to implement the new National Roadway Safety Strategy, which must include swift implementation of the Congressionally-mandated rulemaking to require technology in all new cars that will prevent drunk driving, as well as actions to increase fair and just traffi c safety enforcement. As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law on November 15, NHTSA must initiate a rulemaking and set a standard within three years for passive drunk driving prevention technology in all new cars. Automakers then have three years to implement the standard. MADD worked closely with Congress and partners to help pass this lifesaving bipartisan legislation. When implemented, passive drunk driving prevention technology has the potential to save more than 9,400 lives and countless injuries. “Each year we wait for adIf you have any questions about this week’s report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562. of Bay State politics. THE HOUSE AND SENATE: As is GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Chris Van Buskirk and Keith Regan who introduce each article in their own clever and inimitable way. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport customary during the February school vacation week, the Legislature met in only brief informal sessions and there were no roll call votes in the House or Senate last week. BILLS APPROVED BY SENATE AND STUCK IN THE HOUSE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS – Several bills have received unanimous or near-unanimous approval in the Senate as far back as September 2021 and are still stuck in the House Ways and Means Committee which has not acted on them and has not sent them to the full House for debate and a vote. Beacon Hill Roll Call asked House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) and House Ways and Means chair Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston) for a comment on the four Senate-approved bills being stuck in the House and Means Committee. “They’re under review,” was the brief three-word response from Ana Vivas, Mariano’s spokesperson. Mariano’s offi ce also cited fi ve bills that have been approved by the House and are currently stuck in the Senate Ways Means Committee. Despite repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call, no one in House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz’s offi ce responded to our request for a comment. Here are the four bills and how local senators voted on them: CHANGE GENDER ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND MORE (S 2533) On September 23, the Senate 390, approved a bill that would allow people to change their gender on their birth certifi cate, driver’s license, learner’s permit, identifi cation card or liquor purchase identifi cation card, in~ Home of the Week ~ LYNN....First Ad - Renovated View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. vanced technology in cars, the more devastating this public safety crisis is for every one of us,” Otte said. “Drunk driving can impact any one of us at any time. We clearly need the help of advanced technology, law enforcement, and our partners in educating everyone to make the safe choice to never drive after consuming alcohol or other impairing drugs.” For more information about passive drunk driving prevention technology, visit https://www. madd.org/get-involved/haltact About Mothers Against Drunk Driving Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofi t working cluding to a non-binary option other than male or female. The possible designations include “female,” “male” or “X” which would indicate that the person is another gender or an undesignated gender. The gender can only be changed by an adult, an emancipated minor or the parent or guardian of a minor. No documentation is required but the person changing the gender must submit an affi davit executed under the penalty of perjury attesting that the request is to conform to the person’s gender identity and is not made for any fraudulent purpose. The bill also directs the state to develop a plan for allowing a non-binary option on all state forms and instances where a gender choice is required. “People know what gender they are,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) at the time the measure was approved. “This bill simply allows for gender identifi cation and IDs as diverse as our people. The Legislature must ensure that all of our constituents have access to IDs with nonbinary gender markers as beautifully diverse as they are.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Was not yet elected BENEFITS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES (S 2558) On October 21, the Senate 39-0, approved legislation that would support military families who relocate to the Bay State by providing career stability for the spouses of service members and education for their children. Provisions include making it easier for military personnel and their spouses who move to the Bay State to get a Massachusetts professional license, if their job requires one, so that they can continue their civilian careers and provide for their families without interruption; requiring the Commissioner of Education to issue a military spouse a valid certifi cate for teaching to end drunk driving, help fi ght drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 400,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all off enders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www. madd.org or call 1-877-ASKMADD. if he or she holds a valid teaching license from another state; allowing children of military members to register and enroll in a school district at the same time it is open to the general population by waiving the proof of residency requirement until the student actually begins school; creating a purple-star campus designation for certain schools that are military-kid friendly and show a major commitment to students and families connected to the nation’s military; and requiring that a child or spouse of an active-duty service member in Massachusetts continue to pay the in-state less expensive tuition rate at state universities even if the service member is assigned to move out of the state. “Our commonwealth has always led from the front in terms of taking care of our active-duty service members and veterans, but I strongly believe that there is more we can do for the spouses and children of servicemembers who also call Massachusetts their home,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfi eld) at the time the proposal was approved. “Anyone who has worn the uniform or has a family member who has worn the uniform knows that the sacrifi ce of military service goes far beyond the individual service member. By passing this legislation, we are saying to these families that we understand their challenges, that we recognize the great sacrifi ces that they have made and that we are committed to doing everything we can to support them.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Was not yet elected INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS (S 2572) On November 17, the Senate 390, approved a measure known as the Mental Health Addressing Barriers to BEACON | SEE Page 15
15 Publizr Home