ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 27, 1996 TAG: 9611270063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOANNE POINDEXTER STAFF WRITER
Virginia transportation and police officials acted like proud parents Tuesday when they learned the state has earned a "B" for its efforts to get drunken drivers off the road.
But, like most parents, they say there is room for improvement.
Bill McCollum, director of the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program, said the state can do a better job of tracking offenders from the time they are stopped for drinking until they complete VASAP educational programs. He said he is not opposed to using taxes from the sale of alcohol to fund more programs.
Virginia earned a "C" in 1993 when Mothers Against Drunk Driving conducted its last States Survey Report, which evaluates efforts by all states to combat drunken driving. Grades are given for performances in areas that include law enforcement, legislation, impaired driving deaths, public awareness and youth issues.
MADD gave the nation a "C," down from a "B-minus" three years ago. Drunken-driving deaths rose 4 percent nationwide in 1995, the first such increase since 1986. Total traffic deaths were up 3 percent last year.
Nine states had grades - "A-minus" to "B-plus" - higher than Virginia; seven others earned a "B."
Virginia's improvement is the result of increased public awareness and law enforcement agencies, legislators, citizens groups and businesses working together on a public safety issue, said Vince Burgess, director of transportation and safety for the Division of Motor Vehicles.
But he said it is unacceptable that 39 percent of the state's 900 traffic deaths in 1995 involved alcohol.
"We've made great strides in combating impaired driving, but there is still room for improvement," said Brenda Altman, MADD state chairman.
The report released Tuesday should be used as a blueprint to make the state's roads safer, she said.
Altman released the report at a DUI sobriety checkpoint sponsored by 15 law enforcement agencies in 13 localities surrounding Roanoke.
Officers stopped 150 vehicles during the 20-minute checkpoint at the Hollins scales on U.S. 11 and found only two infractions, both for inspection sticker violations.
Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for traffic, and checkpoints will be set up throughout the region, State Police Capt. Charles Compton said.
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