Gov. Nikki Haley Signs S.137 – Emma’s Law
May 4, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – April 30, 2014 – Gov. Nikki Haley was today joined by the South Carolina Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), members of the General Assembly, David and Karen Longstreet, and the family of Josiah Jenkins for the ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 137, “Emma’s Law.”
To watch video of the event, click here: http://goo.gl/d9KMyj
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 40% of South Carolina traffic fatalities involved an impaired driver in 2012. “Emma’s Law” is an effort to combat the frequency of impaired driving by creating stricter penalties for repeat DUI offenders and requiring ignition interlock devices for those with a certain blood-alcohol content and for those who don’t agree to taking a breath analysis test.
“This is a bill that should be important to every parent in South Carolina,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “We’re here today to do one of the most important things we can do – to protect our children. After a long fight by all of the people with us today, we can finally say that the bill has passed and the roads in South Carolina are safer because of it.”
“The passage of this bill ensures that Emma’s name will live on forever and it puts South Carolina in a position of national leadership in DUI enforcement,” said David Longstreet, father of Emma Longstreet, the bill’s namesake. “I want to thank MADD, Governor Haley, and all of South Carolina for supporting us throughout this process.”
“On behalf of MADD, I would like to thank Governor Haley and the full legislature as this bill will help end the toll of drunk driving on South Carolina’s roads,” said Debbie Weir, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “This has been a tough fight and one that honors all the victims of drunk driving and it will keep the memory of Emma Longstreet alive in each of us.”
