Albano, Van Drew Bill Creating 'Drunk Driving Prevention and Education Fund' Advances

ALBANO/VAN DREW BILL CREATING 'DRUNK DRIVING PREVENTION AND EDUCATION FUND' ADVANCES

Measure Would Assess Surcharges on DUI, Refusing to Submit to Breathalyzer

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Jeff Van Drew sponsored to create a drunken driving education and prevention grant program funded by intoxicated-driving surcharges was released today by an Assembly committee.

"Drunken driving is an offense that is completely avoidable, yet drunken driving fatalities continue to rise in New Jersey and across the country," said Albano (D-Cumberland), vice-chair of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.  "We must combat this disturbing trend by stepping up prevention efforts and better educating everyone about the dangers of drunken driving."

The Albano/Van Drew measure (A-2628) would create a "Drunk Driving Prevention and Education Fund" in the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), which would be funded through an additional $20 surcharge on all motorists who refuse to submit to an alcohol breath test or who receive a DUI conviction.

DHSS would be responsible for distributing the collected funds as grants, which would fund activities and programs dedicated to drunken driving education and prevention.  DHSS also would be responsible for creating guidelines and procedures for grant applications as well as designating what type of organizations and associations could apply for the grants.

"With college graduations and the summer beach season right around the corner, we need to step up our efforts to curb drunken driving," said Van Drew (D-Cape May).  "Using DUI convictions to fund drunken driving prevention and awareness campaigns just makes good sense."

The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee released the measure 6 to 0.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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