NEWS RELEASE

Does Just One Drink Impair Driving? Two? Three? Research program documents drinking and driving impacts - First such drinking and driving demonstration of effects in state

October 1, 2007

SHELTON, WA —Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Washington State Patrol and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission will team up Wednesday October 3 to conduct research for the first time in Washington on the effects that even a drink or two can have on motorists who take the wheel after drinking.

The project will be done in a controlled environment, and will include alcohol dosing, standardized field sobriety testing and breath testing, followed by low speed skill driving on a closed driving course.

This is the first time in Washington State that an impairment demonstration has included actual driving.

It will also feature the WSP’s Mobile Impaired Driving Unit and special ignition interlock technology on cars that ensure vehicles cannot be started by a driver with alcohol on his or her breath.

“The project will demonstrate that the reason people continue to drink and drive is because they can.” said Lowell Porter, Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.  “Our goal is to show that people’s driving can be impaired by alcohol at levels below the limit of .08, and that interlock technology can prevent them from making a bad decision to drive when they should not be behind the wheel of a car."

As the volunteer subjects become increasingly impaired, they will attempt to start cars equipped with ignition interlock technology. It is expected this will show that impaired drivers cannot even start these cars, let alone drive them.

“Washington raises the bar for the rest of the nation as they have set a goal to eliminate drunk driving, and this demonstration is just one proof of that commitment,” said CEO of MADD Chuck Hurley. “The demonstration brings to life the reality that ignition interlocks are essential to saving lives and preventing needless injuries.”

What:             
Demonstrations of individuals driving under the influence                      
Demonstrations of ignition interlock technology

When:            
Wednesday October 3, 2007

Time:             
8 a.m.  Baseline testing and sober drives
9 a.m.   Progressive “dosing,” testing and driving begins
10 a.m.   Remarks to the media
10:10 a.m.   Dosing, testing and driving continues
12:00 noon   Dosing expected to be completed
3:00 p.m. Subjects expected to be < .02 BrAC

UPDATED / NEW LOCATION

Where:           
Washington State Patrol Training Academy***
631 West Dayton Airport Road
Shelton, WA 98485

Who:         
Chuck Hurley, CEO, MADD
Lowell Porter, Director, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Brian Ursino, Assistant Chief, Washington State Patrol

Photo and Video Opportunities:

• Several key experts on impaired driving and ignition interlocks

• Participants can be interviewed and filmed during the event, from pre-drinking through stages of impairment
  
• State Troopers will demonstrate the Mobile Impaired Driving Unit and ignition interlock technology

• B roll will be available from cameras mounted on vehicles as well as on a vehicle following the drivers

• B roll will be available at 10:00 a.m. of baseline interviews, testing and driving

***Directions:

Directions to Academy: From Interstate 5 in Olympia, take Exit 104 (Ocean Beaches) to Highway 101. Travel approximately 6 miles northwest on 101, then take the Shelton/Port Angeles/Highway 101 exit to your right. Continue driving north on Highway 101 for about 17 miles -- past the three Shelton exits, the Mason County fairgrounds and Sanderson Airfield -- to SR 102 (Dayton-Airport Road), where you will turn left. (A sign is posted before the intersection indicating the State Patrol Academy/Washington Corrections Center turnoff.) Go west approximately 1/2 mile to the Academy entrance, which is on your left. Watch for the sign that says WSP Academy/Shelton Detachment.

http://wsp.wa.gov/hrd/academy.htm