Gov. Nikki Haley signs Emma’s Law, making SC roads safer

Gov. Nikki Haley was joined Wednesday by the South Carolina Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), General Assembly members, David and Karen Longstreet, and the family of Josiah Jenkins for the ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 37, “Emma’s Law,” into effect.

“Emma’s Law,” written in memory of Emma Longstreet, a victim of a drunk driving accident, is an effort to create stricter penalties for repeat DUI offenders in an attempt to decrease the frequency of impaired driving. It will also require an ignition interlock device for those who refuse to take a breathalyzer test and those with a certain blood-alcohol content.

“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.”