As it says on their website, “the mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.” And these mothers and their supporters work tirelessly to improve policy and law-making, and they are a force to be reckoned with.
The group started in the 1980s, right here in California. Candice Lightner began a grassroots effort to combat the perils and death toll of drunk driving. Her calling into this job was a sad one. She had lost her child to a car accident with a drunk driver. Since then the organization has grown to become a very well-known and influential presence on the national scene. Championing things like the concept of the “designated driver” and ignition interlock laws, these tireless men and women have made an impact on local and national laws over the years.
The group also spreads awareness and important information about the dangers of reckless drugged or drunk driving. They make sure to share up-to-date statistics about these kinds of crashes at a state level. They also offer progress reports every year for each state concerning their efforts to fight drunk driving.
In 2019, for example, California launched a multi-year pilot program mandating interlocks for repeat offenders, while making the devices optional for first-time offenders. Ignition interlocks are devices that measure the alcohol content of the driver’s breath before allowing the engine to get started. For MADD, this is not enough. They are fighting to make sure California becomes one of the states, there are now 34 that do so, that make interlocks mandatory for all convicted drunk drivers. This means no option available for first-time offenders.
MADD has some other recommendations for California as well. Besides, passing an ignition interlock law for all offenders, the state should also require ignition interlocks for anyone who refuses a breathalyzer. Lastly, the group would like to see California create a law making child endangerment a felony.
They are busy all across the country, as well. From coast to coast, MADD hosts award ceremonies for officers dedicated to the cause, puts on awareness events for the holidays (a time of increased traffic accidents), and releases public service announcements.
As you can see, these men and women have dedicated a lot of their time and efforts to make sure the streets are safe. They tirelessly lobby, advocate and educate in order to look out for their families and ours. They want to keep those drinking from getting behind the wheel and, especially for teenagers, to stop anyone from getting into cars with any drunk drivers. It is a thankless task sometimes, with some states taking longer than others to pass the much-needed legislation that keeps drinking drivers off the road. But, for everyone that hails a cab instead, for every prom group that books a limo, and for every reveler who makes it home safe- obviously, it is more than worth the struggle.
blogs
Basic Bike Safety
Since 2014, in Los Angeles, more than 180 bicyclists lost their lives when colliding with motor vehicles in and around Los Angeles. More than 50,000 bicyclists suffer serious injuries in such collisions nationally. Understanding some basic bike safety might help you better avoid accidents in the future. As bicycles increase in daily use for Americans, […]
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Riding a motorcycle is exhilarating and freeing. It also can be quite dangerous. Equip yourself with preparedness to ensure every trip you take ends only with a smile and a safe arrival. As always, if the unfortunate does happen, navigating the aftermath of a motorcycle accident is a large undertaking. We are here to help […]
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycles may be a reliably safe mode of transportation but, as in so many accidents out in the world, the problem is not often with the mode of transportation you’re in, but how the person who hits you is traveling. Every year, more than 50,000 bicyclists are injured in collisions with automobiles. Too few of […]
Accidents with the Uninsured
Let’s say the worst happens and you find yourself in a serious car accident. Even if everything after the crash goes according to plan, it is a difficult and confusing process. But if you add to all this the fact that the other person is not insured, you could be left facing an absolute nightmare. […]
Defensive Driving During a Summer of Distracted Drivers
With warm weather, we’re all trying to relax as best we can, wherever we can. Unfortunately, some people can take this a little too far, and find themselves incredibly distracted when in the driver’s seat. Not only that, but with heat exhaustion a possibility, some drivers could be making even worse decisions. It’s your job […]
Tips for Avoiding Car Accidents
Whether you’re driving in a place where the environment is a little more driver-friendly, or if you’re somewhere where the weather poses a driving hazard, you can’t go wrong having a working knowledge of how best to avoid accidents. In 2020 alone, there were nearly 36,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Those […]
Bike Maintenence Checklist
For those of us who bike to work, it’s clear that riding around is more than a hobby. Biking is something that can improve your mental and physical health. It can become a way of life, because to do it right takes commitment. You need to learn the best and fastest bike routes, have all […]
Hellcats and Risky Driving
As Americans, and especially Californians, a lot of us love fast cars. But what happens when the speeds of our cars surpass the safety training of the average driver? Let’s take a look at understanding what the Hellcat trend includes, how it could impact you as a driver on the road, and why it can […]
Stay Safe in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
In the history of cars, hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles are still essentially brand-new. With new technology comes a new way to look at transportation. This includes an eye toward safety – anything new in automobiles is going to require a new understanding of how they work, what the dangers are, and how to maintain […]
Five Apps Every Trucker Should Have
Driving a tractor trailer or any other large vehicle isn’t just about long hours, lots of miles and making sure you’re still driving safely after those lengthy days. It’s a lifestyle, and like any other connected lifestyle in the 21st century, there are plenty of apps to go around designed to help make a truck […]
contact form
