MADD, S.C. Dept. of Probation, Parole and Pardon Announce New DUI Law
A Push to Reduce DUI-Related Deaths
In a joint press conference on Friday, May 17, 2024, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) have announced the implementation of a new law aimed at curbing the incidents of drunk driving. Named the “All Offender Law”, this new legislation will come into effect on Monday, May 20, 2024.
With its enactment, all offenders convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are mandated to participate in the Ignition Interlock Device (I.I.D.) program, regardless of their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Previously, the program was optional for first-time DUI offenders with a BAC below .15. This shift underscores the state’s growing commitment to addressing issues related to drunk driving.
Swift Action from State Government
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, who oversees the I.I.D. program, will be responsible for ensuring that this law is properly implemented. This new law was signed into effect by S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster in July of 2023.
“PPP remains committed to protecting the public, and we are hopeful that this new law will have a tremendous impact in reducing DUI traffic fatalities,” said SCDPPPS Acting Director Jodi Gallman. MADD Regional Executive Director Steven Burritt also expressed his excitement, stating, “This was our number one legislative priority for years and is badly needed as we’re seeing drunk driving deaths rise dramatically. This will save many lives every year.”
Statewide Impact
According to data provided by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, in 2023 there were 5,319 collisions in South Carolina that involved alcohol or drugs. As a result, 367 people were killed and 3,372 individuals were injured.
SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV stated, “In my more than 35 years of law enforcement, it’s been my experience that even our best efforts to convince the motoring public of extreme dangers and tragic consequences of impaired driving too often fall short. We know the law alone won’t solve the DUI problem, but we are encouraged that the ignition interlock requirement for more offenders will be the much-needed deterrent.”
How the I.I.D. Program Works
The I.I.D. program requires individuals who have committed alcohol-related driving offenses to install a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device in vehicles they drive. This device allows those individuals to drive legally while preventing them from driving after they’ve consumed alcohol. As of now, there are more than 1,185 drivers participating in South Carolina’s Ignition Interlock Device Program, with their driving activity monitored by SCDPPPS.
The “All Offender Law” will likely increase program participation considerably. In 2022, Interlock Devices prevented more than 2,800 instances of engine starts with a BAC of .08 or higher.
More Information
For further information on the new “All Offender Law,” Mothers Against Drunk Driving South Carolina, and the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, readers can visit MADD.org/South-Carolina and www.dppps.sc.gov.
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