What Is CARD?
Missouri's Impaired Driving Law, where family members,
law enforcement and physicians can report impaired drivers, has made
Missouri roads and highways safer.
The law allows those reporting confidentiality and immunity
from prosecution. Those reporting must sign an affidavit when reporting
and provide sufficient back-up documentation. Anyone reporting falsely
can receive a possible $500 fine or six-month sentence. (See text
version of this law here).
The inspiration for the law were Karen and Sheldon E.
Suroff of St. Louis, MO. who fought four years to get the law passed.
They started a national organization, Concerned Americans for Responsible
Driving (CARD) in 1994 after their 21-year-old son, Jason, was killed
by a wrong-way, 92-year-old driver diagnosed with dementia. The accident
occurred on Interstate 70, 80 miles east of Kansas City.
Their law, which was mirrored by California one year later with the
Suroffs working with the California sponsors, allows reporting an
impaired driver through a signed affidavit by those closest to the
situation...family members, law enforcement and the medical community.
Any fraudulent report is a Class A misdemeanor, which could lead to
a $500 fine and up to six months in jail. The signed affidavit is
sent to Missouri's Department of Motor Vehicle regulation, where based
on the pre-determined guidelines of a three-member Medical Advisory
Board, the state can then determine its ruling. It can ask for a driving
test, physical or mental exam, revocate or suspend the license or
do nothing at all. Although, dementia and aging do contribute to many
accidents, so do neuro-muscular diseases, seizures, eye problems and
other health issues at even earlier ages. According to Sheldon Suroff,
"this law was written to get to impaired drivers before a tragedy
occurs." It has been overwhelmingly received by state law enforcement
officials with its results. The law also provides immunity from prosecution
and confidentiality for the person reporting.
Suroff has also been communicating and advising with a Congressman
attempting to pass a national law on driver testing. With many calls
from people and the media in recent days, "it appears the subject
of safety on our national roads is starting to get some serious attention,"
Suroff said.
Concerned Americans for Responsible Driving (CARD) web-site, "drivingsafe.org"
includes a copy of the Missouri law, the reporting affidavits, numerous
news stories and related links. For further information, call Sheldon
E. Suroff at 1-800-263-6391.
Our organization has been featured or included in:
The Today Show
AARP's American Cablevision program, "Connections."
Good Housekeeping
The Leeza Gibbons Show
ABC's 20/20
Join CARD by Clicking Here...
Legislation/education on impaired driving is a need
nation-wide.
We are seeking to expand CARD by having new
chapters organized nationally.
Interested in Incorporating a CARD chapter for your state?
Click here..
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CARD
12448 Bentley View Court
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-263-6391 or
1-314-290-4907
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This website was created by
Jon Borlin
in memory of his friend, Jason Suroff.
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Site Updated March 4, 2008
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