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MADD Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

MADD recognizes the Hispanic-American community and their impact on American society and is committed to keeping all families and communities safe. September 15 through October 15 is designated as Hispanic Heritage Month – a time to celebrate Hispanic traditions and culture and to honor the outstanding achievements and contributions Hispanic-Americans have made to our nation.

Drunk driving knows no race. Despite our cultural differences, we all share a common risk on the roadways. 

MADD recognizes the Hispanic-American community and their impact on American society and is committed to keeping all families and communities safe. MADD strives daily to reach out to diverse populations to fulfill its mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.
  • Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 1-44 and the third leading cause of death for all ages, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer. (NHTSA 2002, Latino/Hispanic American Outreach)
  • Binge drinking was reported by 19.3 percent of Hispanics ages 12-20. (SAMHSA, 2005) 
  • Hispanic students (36.1 percent) were significantly more likely than Caucasian students (28.3 percent) to have ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. (CDC, 2005)
  • 11.7 percent of Hispanic high school students drove after drinking alcohol. (CDC, 2003)

MADD provides support to Spanish-speaking victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes through its helpline – 1-877-MADD-HELP, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MADD provides support to Spanish-speaking victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes through its helpline – 1-877-MADD-HELP, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And beginning Wednesday, October 8, MADD will offer its online Victims Services chat in Spanish.

To increase awareness of the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking in the Hispanic community, MADD recently produced Spanish language public service announcements which will be sent to every Spanish language station in the United States. MADD offers Spanish language materials to the community including a general information brochure, an underage drinking brochure that highlights tips for talking to youth about the effects of alcohol and the educational campaign kit “Loteria” featuring solutions to impaired driving centered on the popular game. To learn more about these materials, please call 1-800-438-6233 (GET-MADD).

MADD.org recently launched its Spanish-language resource center which includes links to programs, brochures and other services available in Spanish. Visit www.MADD.org/espanol for more information.