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MADD and lawmakers urge modest state PSA campaign to curb impaired driving
Summary
Representatives and Mothers Against Drunk Driving presented a request for state funding to support a public‑education campaign about impaired driving consequences and human impacts; presenters said education complements enforcement and cited national research on lower BAC thresholds.
Members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and sponsor Representative Elison asked the committee to consider a modest appropriation for a public service advertising campaign about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving.
Art Brown, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in Utah, described the human toll of impaired driving and argued that enforcement alone will not end high rates of crashes and deaths. Brown said education that emphasizes both legal and human consequences — including victim‑impact testimonials — can reduce incidents that lead to fatalities.
Representative Elison said he has accompanied highway patrol DUI enforcement and believes many drivers are unaware of the consequences they face, including impound, fines and prison exposure in extreme cases. He noted national research supporting a 0.05 BAC threshold as having an impact on impaired‑driving rates and urged a campaign to reach new drivers and repeat first‑time offenders.
Committee members asked whether prior campaigns lower DUI rates; presenters acknowledged causation is difficult to isolate but cited national studies showing impacts from lower BAC laws and said education remains a critical complement to enforcement.
Ending: The committee heard the request and will consider it alongside other public-safety and prevention funding priorities.
