Political Quotes

“referring to the bill, we have not discussed today the important strides made in safety of the traveling public. Nearly 440,000 persons a year, regrettably, lose their lives on highways and many more suffer incredible injuries. The bill includes four new and significant provisions which hold great promise to save lives. First, there is a new incentive program to give States funding based on each State's improvement in seat belt use. I want to particularly acknowledge the important contribution of public interest groups speaking on behalf of safety. Those groups indicated that this will greatly reduce highway deaths and injuries. Second, the conference report contains a new incentive grant program to reduce drunk driving by rewarding States who have passed .08 blood alcohol content law. Third, the conference report includes a new program to require States to adopt minimum penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders. I am privileged to say that was a conclusion that this Senator made after close consultation with many safety groups, and, indeed, acknowledgment should be to the other groups--restaurant groups and others who came in to see us on this issue. Statistics on drunk driving confirm that repeat drunk drivers represent one of the most significant parts of our tragedy on the highways today, as a consequence of alcohol. Fourth, another Senate provision requiring States to enact laws against open alcohol containers is included.”