Frequently asked questions

Have a question about MADD or its work? Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive. Just click on a question below for an instant answer!

Answers

I received an email petition accompanied by a poem about a young girl killed by a drunk driver. Is this petition sponsored by MADD? What happens to the signatures?

The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking. Thank you again for your support.

Is SADD a part of MADD?

How do I cite MADD's Web site?

Can I link to the MADD site?

MADD encourages both individuals and organizations to link to our national site as an information resource. However, links may not be used to imply MADD's endorsement of any product, service or political affiliation.

You may also want to use one of our banner ads.

Does MADD accept funds from the alcohol industry?

MADD does NOT accept any funds or in-kind donations from the alcohol industry. In fact, such contributions are prohibited by the Position Statements passed by MADD's national board of directors.

How can I contact my local MADD office?

Use our Get Local search to locate the MADD office closest to you. Simply select your state and press 'Go.'

Who founded MADD?

Candy Lightner founded MADD in 1980 following the death of her 13-year-old daughter Cari in Fair Oaks, Calif., on May 3. Cari was walking to a school carnival when a drunk driver struck her from behind. The driver had three prior drunk driving convictions and was out on bail from a hit-and-run arrest two days earlier.

I heard that MADD's founder was arrested for drunk driving. Is this true?

MADD’s founder has never been arrested for drunk driving.

As a male, can I get involved with MADD?

MADD is made up of men, women and young people from all walks of life. And we welcome and encourage everyone willing to join in our efforts to stop drunk driving and prevent underage drinking.

How can I volunteer for MADD?

MADD is grateful for any time or talents you can give our organization, and it's a great way to help ensure the safety of your community. Our local affiliates offer many volunteer opportunities through their community programs and events.

We encourage you to support MADD's mission by participating in any of our programs or awareness campaigns or by contacting elected officials and voicing support for life-saving anti-drunk driving and underage-drinking legislation. A donation or a gift of planned giving can also help make a difference in the lives of others.

To learn more about how you can get involved, or to make a secure credit card donation, visit our Volunteer and Donate sections of this Web site. You can also make a contribution by mailing a check to MADD Donations, 511 E. John Carpenter Frwy., Suite 700, Irving, TX 75062.

What type of assistance does MADD provide victims/survivors of drunk driving?

MADD offers services and resources to help victims/survivors and their families cope with the complex emotional, legal, medical and financial ramifications. Our services are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Victims/Survivors can call MADD's Victim/Survivor Helpline at 1-877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435) where someone will address your concerns, answer your questions, refer you to a MADD Victim Advocate in your area or simply listen.

Support is also available online by visiting the Victim Section of this Web site or clicks these links for needed now: bereaved, injured, youth victim/survivors, financial recovery, victim rights and the legal process.

MADD has more than 1,400 trained victim advocates across the country that serve those who have been tragically touched by drunk driving. They are the hand to hold, the shoulder to cry on, the ear that listens and the fountain of information.

• Listen to you and allow you to tell your story as many times as you need to.
• Inform you about criminal justice procedures in your community and accompany you to court.
• Provide a list of professional counselors, civil attorneys and clergy in your community who are skilled at working with crash victims.
• Tell you how to obtain the crash report and, in some states, the offender's driving record. 
• Inform you about drunk driving laws and victim rights in your state. 
• Monitor the court case against the defendant.
• Help you prepare a victim impact statement to present at the sentencing of the offender. 
• Represent your family with statements to the media. 
• Help you prepare statements for parole hearings.

Help you apply for financial assistance through the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund.

What do you say to a victim of an impaired-driving crash?

As in any tragedy, the words we choose can be strength to a weary soul or salt in an already painful wound. Here are a few tips to help you:

• Avoid statements that minimize the tragedy: "You're lucky that?," "Well, you have other children," "I know just how you feel.
• Be careful of implying that the person is not in the right stage of the healing process with statements like: "Just forget about it and move on," "Have you forgiven the offender yet?" "Well, it's been six months.
• Avoid providing unwanted advice, such as: "If I were you, I would?," "You should sue?," "When my cousin died, her father went and?" 

Instead, acknowledge the depth of the grief. Let the person know you share in his or her pain and that you genuinely care about his or her feelings. In the case of death, invite the person to talk about their loved one. Far more powerful than anything that you might say is your willingness to listen.

For more information about MADD's victim services, visit our Victim Services or call MADD’s Victim/Survivor Helpline at 1-877-MADD-HELP(877-623-3435).