Governor Tom Vilsack is pushing for new restrictions for Iowa’s youngest drivers, and today he dedicated the effort to the Des Moines family that lost a teenage son in a drunken driving wreck. Nick Bisignano was the son of former state Senator Tony Bisignano.
Vilsack said, “In Nick’s honor and in honor all of those we lost too soon, we should restrict the use of cell phones and the number of passengers driving in cars being operated by youngsters with graduated driver’s licenses. In Nick’s honor and in honor of all of those we lost too soon, we should do a better job of educating young drivers about the deadly consequences of drinking and driving. And in Nick’s honor and in honor of all of those we’ve lost too soon, we really have to stiffen and toughen the penalties and sanctions for those who make alcohol available to minors.”
Tests revealed Bisignano was driving drunk at the time of the high-speed crash. Vilsack said, “My first encounter with Nick was when Tony and I were sworn in as state senators in 1993. Nick was with his family in the senate gallery seated next to may family. Nick was pointing out his father with pride. For that point on for years to come, I would have conversations with a very proud father, who had very high hopes for his son.”
Nick’s parents, Tony and Kim, were in the balcony today (Tuesday) while Vilsack spoke. “I want to personally take this opportunity to thank both of them for caring enough about our children, and the safety of our children even though they have lost one of theirs. In honor of Nick, and in honor of all those children that we lose too soon, let’s keep our young drivers safe. Because a strong community never forgets.”