Reed was speaking at a rally in support of the Nov. 2 referendum question to strike the minibottle regulation from the state constitution. She told the crowd that on Nov. 2, 1996, her younger sister died in a car wreck caused by drunken driving.

"That day is always a sad occasion for our family," she said. "But this year, on that day, we have a chance to do something about this state's problem with drunk driving. If we vote 'yes' to the referendum, then maybe my sister's death will have some meaning."

South Carolina is the only state to mandate the use of minibottles, which pour 1.7 ounces of alcohol into drinks as opposed to the national average of 1.25 ounces served per drink.

The state has the highest per capita number of alcohol-related deaths in the nation. Last year, 158 people were killed in 147 collisions caused by drunken driving. In 2000, 170 died in 155 such collisions.

Critics long have contended that South Carolina's use of minibottles plays a large role in the state's poor driving record. On Monday, Gov. Mark Sanford and several state legislators joined Reed and other members of MADD to help build support for the referendum issue.

The measure would allow restaurants and bars to choose between free pour and minibottles, a move that most agree would spell doom for the small group of distributors who make millions off the little containers.

The referendum has the overwhelming support of the business community and the Legislature. But in recent weeks, the liquor lobby, through quickly organized groups such as the Palmetto Hospitality Association, has funneled millions of dollars into an ad campaign opposing the change.

The blitz caught those supporting the referendum issue, such as the Hospitality Association of South Carolina, off guard and led to Monday's rally.

"We have the strongest drinks and the most dangerous roads in the nation," said state Rep. David Mack, D-North Charleston, who fought for the referendum during the past session. "The truth is, almost everyone is for this. Only a small group of people stand to benefit if the referendum fails, and they are doing everything they can to beat it."

The Palmetto Hospitality ads do not argue with the frightening statistics, or even the supporters' conclusion that minibottle use leads to highway deaths.

Instead, the opposition group has chosen to go after the General Assembly for failing to pass legislation that spells out how it would tax free-pour liquor.

"No plan, no way," says an actress in the advertisement.

Legislators did work out the logistics of the new taxes but were unable to get the legislation passed last session because of heavy opposition from the liquor lobby and a few legislators.

On Monday, the governor spoke out in favor of the referendum issue, saying the change would be good for the state in terms of safety and economics.

"It saves lives and money," Sanford said. "Alcohol-related accidents cost the state about $2.1 billion a year."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-related accidents cost the state $800 million in monetary costs and $1.3 billion in quality of life costs.

"A very small group oppose this and an overwhelming majority of the people support it," Sanford said.

Click here to return to story:
http://www.charleston.net/stories/102604/sta_26madd.shtml