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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) thanked leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for scheduling a hearing on improving safe vehicle technology to prevent drunk driving. On Thursday, March 14 at 10 am in Washington, DC, the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled “Enhancing Vehicle Technology to Prevent Drunk Driving.”

“The Dearborn community is still grieving from the tragic loss of the Abbas family who were killed by a drunk driver,” said Dingell. “No family in America should have to go through such a tragedy ever again.  We have to bring all stakeholders together to identify meaningful solutions to the scourge of drunk driving, including my Abbas Stop Drunk Driving Act.  Every day, almost 30 people in this country die in an accident involving a drunk driver. This is unacceptable and must change.  This hearing in the Energy and Commerce Committee is the first step towards passing a meaningful legislative solution this year.  I thank Subcommittee Chairwoman Jan Schakowsky and Chairman Frank Pallone for their leadership in holding this critical hearing.”

In January, a Michigan family – Issam, Rima, Ali, Isabelle, and Giselle Abbas – were tragically killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver while returning from a family vacation. The wrong-way driver in the crash had a blood alcohol content (BOC) of .306, which is more than three times the legal limit. Dingell introduced the Abbas Stop Drunk Driving Act which requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to set a federal motor vehicle safety standard that would require all new vehicles to be equipped with an ignition interlock device. DOT would have to complete this standard within one year.

Information for this hearing, including the Committee Memorandum, witness list and testimony, and a live webcast, will be posted HERE as they become available. 

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