Drunk driving: 14 states flagged for lax laws

The war on drunk driving is going better in some states than in others. So says Mothers Against Drunk Driving. To mark the fifth anniversary of its "Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving," MADD rated the states on a scale of one to five stars. The stars represent strong laws enforcing: ignition interlocks (essentially on-board breathalyzers) for convicted DUI offenders, sobriety checkpoints, penalties for DUI child endangerment, so-called "no-refusal" events in which drivers are compelled to have their alcohol levels tested, and immediate confiscation of offenders' driver's licenses.

Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, and Utah led the rankings. Which states are laggards? Keep clicking to see the 14 that received only one or two stars from MADD...

Alaska

Kicking off the list of states with poor scores from MADD is Alaska. The state received two stars - one for requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, and the other for allowing immediate confiscation of offenders' licenses. But despite these strong punishments, the state doesn't do much to prevent drunk driving - sobriety checkpoints are legal, but rarely used.

Indiana

Indiana received only two out of five stars - one for successful enforcement of sobriety checkpoints, and the other for allowing immediate confiscations of offenders' licenses. But the state doesn't have tough punishments for drunk drivers with child passengers or require interlocks for first-time offenders.

Iowa

Iowa received only two out of five stars - one for a strong law against child endangerment, and another for allowing immediate confiscation of offenders' licenses. Fatalities from drunk driving have been on the rise in the state, according to MADD.

Minnesota

Minnesota received only two out of five stars - one for effective protection against child endangerment, and the other for allowing immediate confiscation of offenders' licenses. Although the state recently increased the use of ignition interlocks, they're not mandatory.

Mississippi

Mississippi received only two out of five stars - one for allowing immediate confiscation of offenders' licenses and the other for enforcing sobriety checkpoints. But the state has halted any laws on child endangerment and ignition interlock use.

New Jersey

New Jersey received only two out of five stars - one for enforcing sobriety checkpoints, and the other for strong protection against child endangerment.

Tennessee

Tennessee received only two out of five stars - one for enforcing sobriety checkpoints, and the other for strong protection against child endangerment.

Vermont

Vermont received only two out of five stars - one for participating in no-refusal events, and another for enforcing sobriety checkpoints. According to MADD, the state was the 48th to enforce an ignition interlock law.

Wyoming

Wyoming received only two out of five stars - one for tough laws against child endangerment, and the other for allowing immediate confiscation of offenders' licenses. But sobriety checkpoints are illegal in the state, which MADD finds a big problem.

Michigan

Michigan received only one star from MADD, for effective penalties for DUI child endangerment. The state requires ignition locks for offenders with a BAC of .17 or higher, known as "Super Extreme DUI" offenders, rather than all offenders. Michigan also lacks laws enforcing sobriety checkpoints and immediate confiscation of offenders' licenses.

Montana

Montana received only one star, for effective penalties for DUI child endangerment. The state has passed measures that toughen penalties for repeat offenders, but not first-time offenders.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania received only one star, for enforcing sobriety checkpoints - but lacks sufficient laws otherwise. More than 400 people died in drunk driving crashes in Pennsylvania in 2009, says MADD.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island "trails the rest of the nation in lifesaving legislation," says MADD. The state does not legalize sobriety checkpoints, require convicted drunk drivers to use ignition interlocks, encourage no-refusal activities, or allow immediate confiscation of offenders' licenses.

South Dakota

South Dakota received only one star, for enforcing sobriety checkpoints. The state lacks strong legislation for the other four points measured.