MADD calls for tougher drunk driving laws

ATLANTA - The national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving testified at the state capitol Tuesday, urging lawmakers to improve drunk driving laws in Georgia.

MADD is pushing lawmakers to pass House Bill 205 requiring that first-time offenders be given a choice of installing an ignition interlock in their cars instead of having their licenses suspended.

MADD said the new law could help save thousands of lives and prevent repeat offenses.

MADD said that a recent finding shows that ignition interlocks have prevented more than 15,000 drunk driving attempts in Georgia since 1999.