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Senator Madden: This 4th of July, Make the Choice to Stay Alive

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Senator Fred H. Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester, released the following statement regarding the upcoming July 4th holiday:

“Statistics have shown that car and boating accidents increase during this time of the year. During the hot summer months, aggravation levels are higher, which can cause tempers to flare, but the increase in accidents also occurs due to drunk driving and boating while impaired.

“If you choose to drink, have a designated driver. It’s all pretty simple – “This 4th of July, make the choice to stay alive.”

In 2004, Senator Madden sponsored a law to reduce the blood alcohol limit (BAC) to be considered guilty of boating while intoxicated from 0.10% to 0.08%.

The law made the BAC level requirements for boating identical for level requirements to those for driving while intoxicated.

Under the law, first time offenders whose BAC level is between 0.08% and 0.10% are fined $250 to $400 and they lose their driver’s license for three months.Those with a BAC level of more than 0.10% are subject to a fine of $300 to $500, and they lose their driver’s licenses for seven months to one year. Second offenses for either level result in loss of license for six months to two years, and third and subsequent offenses result in a loss of license from two years to 10 years.