Lindsay Lohan's mug used for drunk driving prevention

By M&C People May 3, 2008, 19:36 GMT

US actress Lindsay Lohan appears in a 24 July 2007 booking photo released by the Santa Monica Police Department in Santa Monica, California, USA after she was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving 24 July 2007. EPA/SANTA MONICA POLICE DEPARTMENT / HO

Lindsay Lohan is the poster child for the American Beverage Institute.

USA Today ran an ad containing a mugshot of the actress.

The ad was designed to attack legislation for devices that measure a driver’s blood alcohol level before their vehicle can start. 

Sarah Longwell from the American Beverage Institute told press, “The reason that we used Lindsay Lohan is because she’s had multiple DUIs that have been high profile.  We needed to create the distinction for the public what someone with multiple DUIs looked like versus a low blood-alcohol-level first-time offender.”

The ad suggested that ignition failsafes were appropriate for “hardcore” drunk drivers but not a responsible social drinker.

Lohan’s lawyer was was hopping mad, he told the press, “USA Today is idiotic to run such an irresponsible advertisement suggesting that drinking and driving is some kind of American ‘tradition’ we should protect. 

Not identifying that this ad was paid for by the liquor and restaurant industries is profoundly reckless.  Drunk white businessmen, drunk housewives out for girls night out and drunk wedding parties should be kept off the roads of America.  Lindsay Lohan fully endorses ignition interlock devices, which have been well-proven to save lives.”