S1926

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan named “Ricci’s Law,” which will require certain first, second and subsequent offenders under the State’s driving while intoxicated laws to install an ignition interlock device, was signed into law yesterday by Acting Governor Steve Sweeney at the home of Richard and Sherri Branca, whose son, Ricci – the inspiration for the legislation – was killed by a drunk driver in 2006.

“Ignition interlock devices represent one of our best tools in cutting down on the high rate of recidivism among DUI offenders,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “These systems have a proven track record of discouraging drivers who are drunk from getting behind the wheel. Through this new law, we will hopefully be able to keep more drunken drivers off our roadways, and make our streets safer for New Jersey’s law-abiding citizens.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan named “Ricci’s Law,” which would require certain first, second and subsequent offenders under the State’s driving while intoxicated laws to install an ignition interlock device, was approved by the Assembly today by a vote of 67-3, with 5 abstentions, with final legislative approval pending in the Senate later today.

“Ignition interlock is a major tool in reducing DUI recidivism and making New Jersey’s roads safer for everybody,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “Research has shown that drunken drivers often exhibit among the highest recidivism rates of any motor vehicle offense, particularly because when they get away with it once without incident, they are more likely to tempt fate again. For drivers who have already shown a lack of good judgment in driving drunk, we need mandatory ignition interlock legislation to make sure that they don’t get behind the wheel while impaired again.”

TRENTON – On Thursday, June 12, Senator Jim Whelan will hold a news conference with representatives from the New Jersey and national chapters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), as well as the family of Richard “Ricci” Branca, an Egg Harbor Township youth who was killed by a drunk driver, to promote legislation requiring ignition interlock devices for all drunk driving offenses.

The bill, S-1926, known as “Ricci’s Law,” would make ignition interlock devices mandatory for all drunk driving offenses and to require their installation while driving privileges are suspended. Ignition interlock devices are designed to block vehicles from starting unless the driver is sober, by requiring drivers to blow into a breathalyzer-type device before they can successfully start their car. The legislation is named for Ricci Branca, who was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 17, while riding his bicycle home from a friend’s house in Egg Harbor Township.