WHELAN STATEMENT ON MADD IGNITION INTERLOCK NEWS CONFERENCE

TRENTON – Senator Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, issued the following statement regarding today’s news conference with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in support of his legislation – known as Ricci’s law – which would require first-time drunk drivers to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles:

“In July of 2006, Ricci Branca, a 17-year-old young man from Egg Harbor Township, was doing things that kids do during the summertime – enjoying time off from school and hanging out with his friends. He was a good kid who brought a lot of joy to his friends and family and had his whole life ahead of him.

ADLER STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF IGNITION INTERLOCK BILL

TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler, D-Cherry Hill, a prime sponsor of Ricci’s Law, which would require all convicted drunk drivers to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles, issued the following statement in support of a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) news conference on the Statehouse steps, calling for action on the bill:

“Last year in New Jersey, nearly 200 people were killed by drunk drivers. Many of those deaths involved repeat drunk-driving offenders, some of whom were in violation of license and registration suspensions handed down at the time of their DUI conviction.

WHELAN LAUDS BRANCA FAMILY FOR ADVANCING SAFE DRIVING

TRENTON – At a news conference today with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Senator Jim Whelan credited the family of Richard “Ricci” Branca, who was just 17 when killed by a drunk driver, for advocating mandatory use of ignition interlocks to block vehicles from starting unless the driver is sober.

Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic, is the co-prime sponsor along with Senator John H. Adler, D-Camden, of S-1926, known as “Ricci’s Law,” to make ignition interlock devices mandatory for all drunk driving offenses and to require their installation while driving privileges are suspended.

MEDIA ADVISORY - WHELAN TO HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE WITH MADD ON IGNITION INTERLOCK BILL

‘Ricci’s Law’ Would Mandate Ignition Interlock Devices for All Drunk Driving Offenses

TRENTON – On Thursday, June 12, Senator Jim Whelan will hold a news conference with representatives from the New Jersey and national chapters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), as well as the family of Richard “Ricci” Branca, an Egg Harbor Township youth who was killed by a drunk driver, to promote legislation requiring ignition interlock devices for all drunk driving offenses.