Winter 2018 MADD About Florida Law Enforcement, continued
the Florida Impaired Driving Coalition, Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition, as well as the Florida Police Chiefs Associa- tion’s Highway Safety Committee.
On a national front, MADD’s Law Enforcement Initiatives Manager, Colonel Ron Replogle, is the former Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and works with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on many issues and programs that directly relate to eliminating drunk driving across the nation. Right now, MADD sits in a very admi- rable and coveted place in the passenger seat of our nation’s ever evolving autonomous vehicle development program. MADD recognizes and supports driverless vehicles knowing that this is one way to remove impaired drivers from con- trolling a vehicle.
Legislatively, MADD has a strong presence in our State Capitol actively working to enhance penalties for impaired driv- ers, reduce recidivism, and currently working on legislation that will result in more ignition interlock devices installed in DUI offender’s vehicles for first time offenders of any blood alcohol level. Our successes across the nation have yielded thirty states in enacting ignition interlock device laws for first time offenders. MADD recognizes that this device is one of the best ways to prevent a drunk driver from starting a vehicle and potentially causing a violent crime. It is our de- sire for Florida to become the thirty-first state to adopt this life saving legislation into law.
In addition to MADD’s law enforcement support and legislative efforts throughout the nation, MADD’s Program Spe- cialist annually present our award winning Power of Youth and Power of Parents programs to hundreds of thousands of our nation’s youth and young adults alike, as well as parents, grandparents, and educators as well. These programs, available anywhere in Florida, covers the importance of combating and preventing substance abuse, DUI prevention, and how parents can have the important, and sometimes difficult talk about drugs and alcohol with their children. MADD’s Victim Services Specialists provide advocacy and support to the victims of these very unique crimes around the clock, in hospitals, homes, and courthouses. Our research shows that MADD provides a service every ten minutes to a DUI victim somewhere in the nation at absolutely no cost to those we serve.
Across the nation, MADD hosts court ordered Victim Impact Panels that are presented to DUI offenders on county or state probation. This is a unique and creative way for victims, and sometimes offenders themselves, to share their per- sonal story in a non-judgmental and non-threatening way in real layman’s terms about the impact impaired driving has. These panels have been successful across the state in preventing recidivism. MADD also presents these panels to state prosecutors and law enforcement officers as well, to remind all of our partners about the importance of DUI enforce- ment.
Contrary to a lot of beliefs, MADD is not funded by the government, the alcohol industry, or the ignition interlock de- vice manufacturers. MADD is not a prohibitionist or religious organization either. MADD is funded across the nation by donations, Victim Impact Panel fees, and some educational and victim support grants. MADD’s Walk Like MADD event series is our signature fundraiser held in over 100 cities across the nation annually. These events bring awareness to the community about the impact impaired driving has on us all, celebrates the lives lost to DUI related crashes, and thanks law enforcement for their tireless effort in preventing these crimes which is a serious public health issue facing us all.
MADD is needed. MADD is necessary. MADD is relevant. MADD has singlehandedly changed the American culture to recognize that drunk driving is unacceptable, 100% preventable, and is a violent crime. Drunk driving is no accident. MADD’s success of reducing drunk driving fatalities from 25,000 annually to just over 10,000 is truly remarkable, but as you know MADD’s work is not complete until we have a nation of No More Victims. I challenge each of you to do your part in combatting and preventing this violent crime.
Larry Coggins, Jr. is the Executive Director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving West Central Florida region responsible for the day-to- day operation of one of MADD”s most populated and busiest regions. He is a graduate of the Florida State University and the Flori- da Highway Patrol Academy and a former adjunct professor at Polk State College.
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