Edith G. Prague

Prague Receives Public Policy Award From Mothers Against Drunk Driving

State Senator Edith G. Prague (D-Columbia) today received special recognition from the Connecticut State Office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MAD) for her ongoing advocacy against driving while impaired. More specifically, Senator Prague was honored this year for her work toward a new state law requiring, as MADD Connecticut Executive Director Janice Heggie Margolis describes it, “mandatory Ignition Interlock Devices for all repeat offenders convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI)”.

Senator Prague said the new state law becomes effective January 1, 2012; it requires those convicted of DUI to install functioning interlock devices on each vehicle they own or operate before their suspended driver’s license is reinstated.

“(Senator Prague is) an inspiration to MADD’s commitment to move forward together in our battle to fight drunk driving, help those who are victims of the nation’s most frequently committee violent crime, and prevent underage drinking,” Margolis said. “Senator Prague’s dedication to MADD’s mission is truly appreciated—her tireless efforts . . . garnered her this prestigious MADD award.”

According to MADD, approximately 159 million trips are made each year during which the driver is impaired, yet only 1.4 million are arrested and one million convicted. MADD literature states unequivocally: “ignition interlocks are proven to reduce DUI recidivism on average by 67 percent, relative to drivers with suspended licenses.”

“I’m genuinely delighted to know we’ll have this new law on the books within a few short weeks to assist with ongoing awareness and prevention efforts to keep drunk drivers off the road,” Senator Prague said. “No one is saying ‘don’t drink’ and no one is saying drinkers have to stay home—it is really a simple solution to a serious, violent, and often deadly combination: if you’re going to drink, don’t drive.”

“The volunteers and staff at MADD do a terrific job of getting this message out as often as necessary and their presence at the Capitol helped make this new law a reality,” Senator Prague added. “I’m grateful to them for this award but more than that, I admire their commitment and the positive public safety results of all their efforts.”

Senator Prague is serving her ninth term in the Senate; she previously served four terms in the House of Representatives. In that time Senator Prague has been recognized repeatedly—at the state and national level—for her efforts to combat drunk driving.