Promoting responsible decision making

Our government relations department researches current trends and develops policy initiatives regarding drunk driving, underage drinking, teen driver safety, and healthy lifestyles. Over the years we have worked alongside coalition partners to support effective legislation in more than 45 states and at the federal level. Additionally, we team up with elected officials and other partners to launch our prevention programs and have held more than 2,000 community events across the nation.

Policy focus: past, present, and future

1990s: The Century Council focused on passage of administrative license revocation (currently in 41 states and DC) and zero tolerance laws for minors who drink and drive (currently in 50 states and DC).
1997: Responding to a growing body of research that points to high BAC and repeat offenders as the source of a large and disproportionate share of alcohol-impaired fatalities, The Century Council created The National Hardcore Drunk Driver Project.
2000: We teamed up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to advocate for the passage of anti-drunk driving laws and self-sustaining programs including:

  • A national legal limit of .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and other comprehensive efforts
  • BAC education and public awareness efforts
  • Stricter penalties, treatment, and aftercare for hardcore drunk drivers

Today we continue promoting comprehensive solutions including:

  • Assessment
  • BAC test refusal penalties
  • Continuous alcohol monitoring systems for repeat offenders
  • DWI Courts
  • Education for judges, prosecutors, and probation/parole
  • Graduated driver licensing
  • High BAC limits at .15 and above
  • Ignition interlock devices and other vehicle-based sanctions
  • Look back periods of 10 years or more
  • Open container restrictions
  • Plea bargaining restrictions
  • Repeat offender penalties
  • Staggered sentencing

At the federal level, The Century Council is a leading voice in the reauthorization of anti-drunk driving provisions in the nation's highway bill. We have proposed recommendations with our justice partners and are part of a broad coalition supporting the inclusion of the ROADS SAFE Act.