Today, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) released the following statement in response to the Berkeley City Council’s move toward removing traffic enforcement responsibilities from law enforcement officers:
Traffic enforcement is critical to protecting our roads from the 100% preventable, violent crime of drunk and drugged driving, which kills more than 10,500 people every year and is the leading killer on America’s roads. Law enforcement officers receive specialized training to identify impaired drivers and conduct roadside tests that are proven to be the best defense for preventing impaired drivers from killing or injuring others. MADD strongly supports law enforcement efforts to keep our roads free of the tragedies caused by someone else’s choice to drive while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. Policing of this violent crime should be performed only by trained, professional law enforcement officers.
