AIR DATE DECEMBER 2, 2021
Title: Impaired Driving Prevention
In this episode of Emily Tells All, learn what defines impaired driving and what is being done to prevent it from taking place.
Guests and Locations
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.), Central Florida Director – Dan Marquith
Florida United Safety Council, Director of DUI and Behavior Management Programs – Anne Rollyson
Drunk or Impaired Driving Prevention with MADD
Countless individuals drive under the influence and meet a gloomy fate every year. Drunk or impaired driving puts the driver and everyone else on the road at risk. There are many facets of a DUI- not just alcohol.
Learn what it means to drive under the influence, the consequences, and what is being done to prevent DUI occurrences.
Dan Marquith is the Central Florida director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Anne Rollyson is the director of DUI behavior management programs at The Florida Safety Council. Let’s hear what they have to share.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a nonprofit organization with the mission to end drunk driving and support victims of DUI crimes.
Whether local law enforcement or victim advocates, they strive to support as many people as possible.
“Our number one focus is going to be victim services,” explains Dan, “So, anytime there’s an impaired-related crash where there’s injuries or death, our advocates come in and partner with the families and walk them through the criminal justice process.”
MADD has a Power Talk 21 youth program that encourages parent conversations with youth about impairment from drugs and alcohol. They host a victim impact panel that is completely virtual, and their team offers education for offenders, too.
MADD is also heavily involved in government affairs- particularly the Health Act and RIDE Act.
There are many opportunities for involvement in 2022. Join their Walk in Central Florida and their Spotlight dinner. MADD has offices in Northwest Florida, Northeast Florida, West Central Florida, Southwest Florida, and Southeast Florida.
If you are passionate about preventing drunk or impaired driving, get involved on their website.
Preventing DUIs with the Florida Safety Council
The Florida Safety Council provides DUI and alcohol-related educational programs. Their goal is to make lifelong behavioral changes in past offenders to prevent future injuries and death.
While drunk driving is the most common type of DUI, Anne explains that impaired driving extends beyond just alcohol. “Any impairing substance, and even including medications, is prohibited by law, and you can be arrested for a DUI, even taking a medication that’s legally prescribed to you,” she explains.
Mixing medication with alcohol can amplify the effects of each substance, which makes it a hidden danger. Medical marijuana impaired driving is just as dangerous. Even though you may be consuming marijuana legally, driving under the influence at an impaired level is punishable by law.
If you get arrested for a DUI, you will find yourself at the Florida Safety Council. “There are two different courses: a first offenders course and a multiple offenders course. The first one is primarily educational,” she explains.
Other resources include DUI school, ignition interlock, Special Supervision Services. Special Supervision Services is a program for people with long-term revocations for DUI. If they’re willing to get sober and stay sober, they can potentially get a hardship license, granting you limited driving privileges.
Before you ingest any impairing substances, think twice about the long-term consequences. Drive sober to save lives.
