Officer Leotta’s Parents and Police Chief Tom Manger Push for ‘Noah’s Law’ in Annapolis
Officer Noah Leotta’s parents and Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger joined Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in Annapolis on Wednesday to push for stronger ignition interlock laws in Maryland.
At a news conference, MADD officials unveiled a report, dedicated to Officer Noah Leotta, on ignition interlock systems and the number of times the devices have stopped drivers from using vehicles across the country.
The report found that ignition interlock laws have prevented more than 1.7 million “would-be” drunk drivers from taking the wheel across the country.
An ignition interlock system prevents drivers from starting vehicles if the breathalyzer result detects blood alcohol levels (BAC) that’s higher than the level specified by state law. Currently, in Maryland, ignition interlock devices are only required for drivers with a blood level alcohol (BAC) of .15 or for repeat DUI offenders. Maryland state lawmakers are pushing a bill, which has been renamed Noah’s Law, that would require interlock devices for drivers with a BAC of .08 or greater.
“[There’s] a drop of over 60 percent in states that have changed their laws to require ignition locks for first offenders. That’s why we’re calling [for] the state of Maryland and every state that has not yet done so, to pass a law, Noah’s Law; to require all drunk drivers to use the interlock.” Chief Manger said. “We should not wait till someone becomes a repeat offender or twice the legal limit super drunk, or before they kill someone, before requiring this life saving technology,” he said.
Leotta’s father, Richard Leotta, spoke at the news conference and urged lawmakers for stricter DUI laws.
“It’s time that legislators and the Governor in every state embrace the law that’s being named for my son, Noah; to protect the public and the police. We’ve heard how many people that this potentially can save lives…and all the human misery that goes on, that I’m suffering today and will continue to suffer for the rest of my life. Imagine just saving one family from that heartache, saving your family from that heartache. Think about that.”
Chief Manger commended Officer Leotta’s parents for their efforts to promote Noah’s Law.
“I’m so profoundly grateful to Rich Leotta and his wife Marcia…I thank them for their courage, for their strength, for their voice and their will, to stand up in the midst of their grief to help save lives in the state of Maryland and save lives all over this country.”
To find out more about the state’s ignition interlock laws, visit the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) website.
Rich Leotta father of #OfficerNoahLeotta on what passage of #NoahsLaw would mean pic.twitter.com/meQI3cuON6
— Kate Ryan (@KateRyanWTOP) February 10, 2016
“My life changed in a heartbeat”. Father of Ofc Leotta pushes to strengthen MD DUI laws with #MADD pic.twitter.com/TPyfHcNPyv
— Darcy Spencer (@darcyspencer) February 10, 2016
Ofc. Noah Leotta’s father speaking now in Annapolis, pushing for stricter DUI laws in Maryland. @ABC7News @mcpnews pic.twitter.com/alSxTudG7U
— Kevin Lewis (@ABC7Kevin) February 10, 2016
.@MADDOnline & @MDOTNews announce ignition interlocks are saving lives, but MD must do more. @WRAP_org #AAAMDNews pic.twitter.com/mjrlI1Jgwe
— AAA Mid-Atl MD News (@AAAMDNews) February 10, 2016
#IgnitionInterlocks for ALL offenders. #SobertoStart https://t.co/n4QamRZRy5 https://t.co/2ByrFEwjTy
— MADD (@MADDOnline) February 10, 2016
Pres. Colleen Sheehey-Church in #MD re: 2016 #IgnitionInterlock report. https://t.co/n4QamRZRy5 #SobertoStart pic.twitter.com/40TTXCF2C4
— MADD (@MADDOnline) February 10, 2016
“[Noah’s Law] is the only legislation this year that I can say for a fact will save lives.” Delegate Ben Kramer https://t.co/n4QamRZRy5
— MADD (@MADDOnline) February 10, 2016
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