This past week, Marin County supervisors endorsed a tough new law, cracking down on drunk driving. "Melody's Law," named after a 9-year-old girl from Novato who was killed by a drunk driver who had 9 prior DUI convictions, requires the state to revoke a person's driver's license if convicted three times. If a driver's license is revoked, he or she cannot own or register a vehicle.

The most recent statistics from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) show that nearly 12,000 people died in drunk driving crashes in 2008 and these deaths constitute roughly a third of all traffic fatalities.

Those injured in drunk driving accidents often face a long road to recovery, including substantial medical bills, physical pain and time off from work.

For families of those killed in drunk driving accidents, they struggle with the emotional impact of losing a loved one in a preventable accident, along with the loss of companionship, mental anguish and even economic uncertainty caused by the drunk driver's negligence and recklessness.

Marin County supervisors unanimously endorsed AB 1443, sponsored by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San-Rafael. The bill was created at the request of the family of the girl who was killed after being struck by a motorcycle that failed to stop at the stop sign. Despite the motorcyclist's 9 prior drunk driving conviction, nothing prevented him from keeping his driver's license.

Huffman stated "we are trying to keep these guys off the road...driving is a privilege, not a right."

If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, please contact the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette, a California personal injury attorney committed to helping the families and victims of those injured by negligent and reckless drivers.