Texas Leads Nation in Drunk Driving; MADD Advocates Gather in Dallas Sept. 4-6

  9/4/2008

Contact Information

Lisa Faulkner-Dunne
972-407-1969
214-287-1969
 
Misty Moyse
214-801-5276

Kelley Tway
214-289-3013

DALLAS (September 4, 2008) – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) supporters convened in Dallas to kick off their annual national conference today at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, located at 2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas. The focus is MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which focuses on techniques and technologies that can eliminate drunk driving. Texas leads the nation in drunk driving and Dallas County is among the top five worst for drunk driving fatalities based on population. Last year nearly 13,000 people were killed in drunk driving crashes across the country, and despite this, Texas leaders still have not passed sobriety checkpoints and interlocks for all convicted offenders. In 2007, 1,292 people were killed by drunk drivers with a BAC over .08 in Texas.

“If we can stop drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel, we can prevent drunk driving tragedies,” said Laura Dean-Mooney, MADD national president. “The technology to ensure that known drunk drivers stay off the road exists, and we can extend our services to the victims and survivors we serve, by letting them know we will do everything we can to prevent others from facing the tragic consequences of drunk driving.” Currently, Texas law requires that repeat drunk driving offenders install the ignition interlock system.

Leading the conference and the charge to eliminate drunk driving, new president Laura Dean-Mooney has been involved with MADD since her husband Mike Dean was killed in 1991 by a drunk driver in Texas, leaving her with an 8-month-old daughter. Dean-Mooney joined MADD to help craft better laws to ensure the tragedy never affected another family. As national president of the organization, she plans to work for changes to the law in all 50 states, as part of the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. The Campaign supports innovative steps such as mandated ignition interlock systems to prevent a drunk driver from driving after drinking.

This national conference offers more than 50 concurrent sessions where members of MADD affiliates from across the country can share ideas and learn more about methods to eliminate drunk driving, serve victims/survivors and prevent underage drinking.

With the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving going into its second year, several sessions will offer information about these specific techniques and technologies that are working to eliminate drunk driving. Additionally, the annual Victim Services Tribute will honor those killed/injured by drunk driving with photos in a visual presentation. Victims’ photos will be displayed at the 7:00 P.M. event on Friday, September 5 in the Coronado Ballroom and at the reception on the Peacock Terrace. Dean-Mooney will speak at the Victim/Survivor Tribute on Friday night to honor and celebrate the lives of those killed and injured due to drunk driving. The annual Tribute includes a slideshow featuring photographs of loved ones and is accompanied by music, poetry readings and inspirational messages.

The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving has four elements: full implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, intensive high-visibility law enforcement, development of advanced vehicle technologies to prevent drunk driving and grassroots support led by MADD and its 400+ affiliates.

Other conference highlights include:

• The 6th annual Media Awards Luncheon on Friday where MADD will recognize excellence in journalism that advances its mission to stop drunk driving, serve victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. The Media Awards Program is sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and Volkswagen of America, Inc.
• A lunch meeting on Saturday to discuss current interlock technology, which will be on display and demonstrated
• A Victims Services component, which includes seminars on traumatic brain injures and compassion fatigue
• A Law Enforcement component that discusses No Refusal laws, underage drinking enforcement and innovative techniques to apprehend drunk drivers.
• At Saturday night’s annual President’s Awards dinner, MADD leaders will honor MADD activists and offices for their outstanding work to advance MADD’s lifesaving mission.

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MADD CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES
September 4 – 6, 2008

Thursday, September 4 – 6:00 p.m.
Opening Dinner – Grand Ballroom – Congress of the States
MADD delegates convene to honor our volunteers and law enforcement partners, whose dedication to saving lives and preventing injuries are essential to our mission. We also welcome the new head of our party, National President Laura Dean-Mooney, as she addresses MADD’s strategic plans for our 28th year and beyond. Law Enforcement Officers in attendance are encouraged to wear their uniforms.
Glynn R. Birch, MADD National President, 2005-2008
Laura Dean-Mooney, MADD National President, 2008-2011
Brian Ursino, Assistant Chief, Washington State Patrol, MADD National Board of Directors

Friday, September 5 – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast – Grand Ballroom – Recognition of Corporate Sponsors
We recognize our invaluable sponsors, whose generosity and support help us achieve MADD’s mission. Thanks to these sponsors, MADD continues to serve more victims/survivors, while working to eliminate drunk driving and prevent underage drinking.
Laura Dean-Mooney, National President

10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Workshops

11:45 a.m.
Luncheon – Grand Ballroom – MADD Media Awards
Celebrating the best in the business, MADD honors the 2008 Media Award winners who have helped educate the public about the violent crime of drunk driving and underage drinking, and raised public awareness of MADD and our efforts to save lives.
Deborah Duncan, National Board Member and Anchor, KHOU-TV (Houston, TX)

2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Extended Workshops (Includes a 30-minute break)

7:00 p.m.
Victim/Survivor Tribute – Coronado Ballroom-West Wing
Reception – Peacock Terrace-West Wing
Come remember, honor and celebrate the lives of those killed or injured in drunk driving crashes at MADD’s annual Victim/Survivor Tribute. A slideshow featuring photographs of loved ones will be accompanied by music, poetry readings and inspirational messages. We’ll close the Tribute with a candle-lighting ceremony in the courtyard, near the lagoon. Immediately following, we will host a punch and cookies reception and view MADD’s Wall of Honor, dedicated to our loved ones.
Laura Dean-Mooney, National President

Saturday, September 6
8:00 - 9:45 a.m.
Breakfast – Grand Ballroom – Why 21?
The 21 Minimum Drinking Age Laws is one of the most studied and proven-effective laws in our history. Why then does this 25-year old law face new opposition today? Learn from the MADD leadership why this law is so important to MADD’s mission and how we intend to defend it.
Chuck Hurley, MADD CEO
Paul Folkemer, Chairman, National Board of Directors

11:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Lunch – Grand Ballroom – Public Policy Roundtable: A Technological Solution to Drunk Driving
Renowned speakers discuss the potential of alcohol ignition interlocks and steps we must take to overcome barriers to their widespread implementation.
Keynote: Dave McCurdy, President & CEO, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
Panelists: Rob Strassburger, Vice President, Safety and Technology, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, National Board of Directors
Judge David L. Hodges, State Judicial Liaison, Texas
John Cullerton, Illinois State Senator

2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Extended Workshops (Including a 30-minute break)

7:00 p.m.
President’s Dinner – Grand Ballroom – 2008 MADD National President’s Inaugural Ball
Celebrating a winning team, we announce the best and brightest on the ticket! We proudly recognize those outstanding MADD individuals who have earned the highest MADD awards achievable – the National President’s Awards.
Laura Dean-Mooney, National President

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