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Mothers Against Drunk Driving
MADD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit grass roots organization with more than 400 entities nationwide. MADD is not a crusade against alcohol consumption - MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. Description:
MADD employs 120 victim advocates nationwide and has certified and trained more than 1,200 volunteer victim advocates. MADD victim advocates are special people because many of them are victims or survivors of DUI crashes and have learned first hand how important victim services are. They share the darkest, most chaotic times in a family’s life and stay until the storm subsides because MADD believes no one should be alone in the wake of a drunk-driving tragedy. Committed to reaching even more victims and survivors in a timely manner, MADD has introduced the National Victim Services 24-hour Helpline. Helpline counselors are trained to provide supportive listening, guidance, and referrals 24-hours a day. MADD Victim Services also provide hope and caring for the youngest victims and survivors. Children support groups and referrals to individual counseling help children through the grief and tragedy. “Hanging in there with Nigel” workbooks provide counselors, parents, advocates and caregivers with the tools they need to help children cope with death and injury. Because we believe that every child deserves a designated driver, MADD Victim Services collaborated with the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance to develop a Child Endangerment Kit that is filled with information and tools to help those who are faced with child endangerment calls each day. It is MADD’s vision to provide a Child Endangerment Kit to every protective services worker, child care provider, law enforcement officer and medical professional in the nation.
• 1982, MADD was asked to serve on President Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving • 1984, MADD helped pass a federal law requiring all states to increase the legal drinking age to 21 or lose highway funding • 1987, MADD filed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court helping to uphold federal drinking age • 1988, MADD helped pass the Drunk Driving Prevention Act, which established incentive grant funds for states that adopt administrative license revocation, self-sufficient DWI enforcement funding programs, open container laws, mandatory testing in fatal or injury crashes and 21 enforcement measures • 1990, MADD filed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that helped establish sobriety checkpoints as constitutional • 1991, MADD released Rating the States, a report on the nations progress to stop drunk driving • 1995, MADD helped pass “Zero Tolerance” legislation, which imposed sanctions for states that failed to revoke the licenses of those underage drinkers stopped by law enforcement • 1997, MADD helped achieve the “20 x 2000” plan three years ahead of schedule to reduce the proportion of alcohol-related fatalities by 20 percent by the end of 2000 • 1998, MADD helped pass zero tolerance laws in all states. • 1999, MADD released its Higher-Risk Driver report, targeting repeat offenders, high-BAC drivers, and those driving on suspended/revoked licenses • 2000, MADD’s 16-year hard fought battle for .08 BAC came to fruition with the signing of the national law • 2002, MADD convenes a National Impaired Driving Summit of experts to revitalize the fight against drunk driving • 2004, all states and D.C. pass .08 BAC as the illegal drunk driving limit. MADD’s legislative and public policy efforts have been proven to save lives and reduce traffic fatalities. • In 1980, as estimated 30,000 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes with alcohol factored into almost 60 percent of all deadly crashes • In 1980, driving drunk wasn’t taken very seriously; it was punishable with fines and shrugged off by the legal system • By 2004, the number of drunk-driving deaths had dropped to fewer than 17,000 with alcohol factored into about 40 percent of all deadly crashes • By 2004, the number of people killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes decreased two percent over the previous year • Most important, by 2004, society no longer views drunk driving as acceptable.
MADD prevention education programs, such as Protecting You/Protecting Me, are designed to teach elementary school children the effects that alcohol has on their developing brains. This particular program has been nationally recognized as a model program by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. A science-based, online course, AlcoholEdu for High School, helps teens contend with a culture that all too often encourages rather than discourages underage drinking. Developed by leading prevention experts, the web-based course provides an interactive experience that changes attitudes, motivates behavior change, and supports safer, healthier choices. Youth In Action is a MADD program designed to give high school students the opportunity to be part of community solutions to underage drinking. The program equips young people with the knowledge and skills needed to reduce alcohol sale to minors, recognize the efforts of law enforcement, and enhance the enforcement of Zero Tolerance Laws. Also, MADD designed UMADD, a program in which students work with their college/university and community to eliminate the problem of underage drinking, binge drinking and impaired driving on their campuses. The cornerstone of MADD’s adult awareness program is the Tie One On for Safety public awareness campaign that encourages adult drivers to pledge to drive safely, sober and buckled up by tying a red ribbon on their vehicle. When a 1999 survey found Mexican-Americans and Native American at a higher risk for alcohol-related fatalities, MADD responded by creating a national bilingual, bicultural campaign called Pasa Las Llaves or “Pass the Keys” and “Path of Hope”. In order to create ongoing productive discussions between citizens and the judiciary system, MADD introduced the Court Monitoring program in 2003. The goal of the court monitoring program is the swift and effective prosecution of DUI offenders. MADD prevention strategies have been proven to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving and underage drinking. MADD’s vision is to provide comprehensive, ambitious and focused prevention and public awareness programs in all cities and towns across the nation. Strategic Planning It is inspiring to trace MADD’s remarkable journey 25 years down the road but we know that key battles still remain. Loopholes in underage drinking laws make it easy for youth to buy, possess and drink alcohol. Law enforcement agencies need more resources to do their jobs effectively. And, in perhaps the ultimate insult to victims, some courtrooms still slap offenders on the wrist. In 2005, MADD Board of Directors approved a realistic but ambitious, three-year strategic plan focused on December 31, 2008 as the completion date. This plan provides a clear and concise approach that is dedicated to stopping drunk driving by accomplishing the following goals: • Reduce fatalities resulting from drunk driving by at least 25 percent. In order to accomplish this goal, MADD has developed strategies that include forming strong alliances with law enforcement; achieving maximum seat-belt use; supporting the development of technology to prevent drunk driving; improving the performance and accountability of the DUI criminal justice system; and promoting alternative transportation strategies. • Serve at least 20 percent more victims each year over the next three years. To do that, MADD will increase public awareness of its free victim services; recruit and train more volunteer victim advocates; and, work with key community partners that often have first contact with drunk driving victims. • Reduce by 5 percent the proportion of 16-to 20-year-olds who drink alcohol and/or engage in high-risk drinking. To accomplish this goal, MADD’s strategy includes forming strong alliances with law enforcement; reducing youth alcohol access; and decreasing the acceptance and support of underage drinking. MADD knows it will take the work of passionate volunteers, generous donors, inspiring victims, tireless law enforcement and committed legislators to achieve these goals. We also know that when people like you become aware and involved in this issue, drunk driving decreases and lives are saved. Become Involved You can be a part of this ambitious, courageous and focused effort to save lives. Below are just a few of the ways that you can give to MADD. • Recruit a team to participate in one of MADD’s signature events: Strides for Change or Shifting Gears - Road Rally & Auto Show. • Sponsor a MADD multimedia prevention education program in your local schools. • Provide funding for local elementary school teachers to attend PY/PM curriculum training. • Sponsor a local Youth In Action or UMADD group. • Contact a local MADD affiliate and volunteer to help victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes. • Provide direct contributions to the general operating needs of MADD. • Volunteer to be a part of your local MADD advisory council and help shape the future of MADD’s presence in your community. • Become a part of MADD’s Tree of Life and donate a monetary gift in memory of a friend or loved one killed in a drunk-driving crash. • Make the ultimate gift - name MADD in your will and estate planning. • Sponsor a public awareness campaign to stop drunk driving in your city, state or region. There are still close to 450,000 drunk driving crashes in the U.S. each year and more than 16,000 people dead as a result of these crashes. Our vision is a nation without drunk driving. Our vision is a nation with no more deaths as a result of drunk driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving invites you to embrace this vision and join us on the road ahead. History:
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Office fax number: (301) 230-2991 Address:
Web Site: http://www.madd.org/md Be the first person to offer feedback on this agency! Post a volunteer reflection to share your experiences with other volunteers! |
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