Texting While Driving, "It Can Wait" (Guest Blog)
By Guest Blogger | September 12, 2012 | Filed in: General

This is a guest post by Sandy Spavone, the Executive Director of National Organizations for Youth Safety® (NOYS).

Many years ago my brother lost a child in a drunk driving crash.  The pain of losing someone we loved to the careless actions of one was a tragedy that could have been avoided.  In those days the laws were weak and the penalty was as well. Educational efforts were starting but had a long way to go.  Now through the work of MADD, fewer families are impacted by drunk driving crashes and the cost of taking a life because of drunk driving has more penalty.  In my position with NOYS I now hear a new outcry from parents who are losing their children in texting while driving crashes.  NOYS is honored to have MADD as a member of the NOYS Coalition and  we encourage all to follow the success model of MADD to see continued success on issues that impact road safety.  To that end,  the NOYS Coalition is proud to support AT&T’s efforts to end the deadly habit of texting while driving.   

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has called texting while driving a “national epidemic.” AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign seeks to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving, and to encourage Americans to remember that no text is worth a life.  The campaign is especially focused on teenagers, who are most likely to text behind the wheel. According to a recent survey commissioned by AT&T as part of the campaign, while 97 percent of teens know texting while driving is dangerous, 43 percent of them admit to sending a text while driving, and 75 percent say their friends text and drive.

But it’s not just teens who are texting while driving – their parents are doing it too. While almost nine in ten teenagers report that their parents are good role models against texting while driving, they also note that they see the “hypocrisy” in adults between warning against texting while driving and then texting while they’re on the road.  These alarming statistics underscore the need to create a nation where texting while driving is as socially unacceptable as drunk driving—and to make sure both teens and adults are getting the message.

That’s why the NOYS Coalition is glad to see that AT&T, its employees, and supporters of the no-texting-while-driving movement are urging Americans to pledge to not text while driving, and is holding events nationwide on September 19 to punctuate those efforts. NOYS encourages everyone  to take a moment to visit www.itcanwait.com to take the pledge, and then share your promise with others via Twitter (#itcanwait) and Facebook.

The NOYS Coalition is always looking for new ways to make our roads safer, to eliminate dangerous practices behind the wheel and to set a good example for children and young adults in our communities. Together, we can work toward ending the practice of texting while driving, and help all Americans realize that no text is worth dying for.

About National Organizations for Youth Safety
National Organizations for Youth Safety® (NOYS) is a coalition of national organizations and federal agencies who serve youth and focus on youth safety and health. Through this coalition, NOYS influences more than 80 million young people and their adult advisors.  The mission of NOYS is to promote youth empowerment and leadership, and build partnerships that save lives, prevent injuries, and enhance safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth.

Going to the Game? Think before you drink! (Guest Blog)
By Guest Blogger | September 7, 2012 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

This is a guest blog post from I DRIVE SAFELY, the largest online driving school in the United States offering Online Traffic School/ Defensive Driving, Teen and Adult Drivers Ed and Insurance Reduction courses.

Fan violence, unruly behavior and drinking excessively, does that sound like our national past time?

Attending a professional sporting event has become less enticing for many. Not only is it becoming more and more expensive, but alcohol related incidents have an alarming number of people opting to stay home rather than attending games in person.

Getting Testy
During a recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota, 362 adults exiting 13 baseball games and three football games were asked to complete a survey and submit to a breathalyzer test to determine their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).This study was the first ever conducted to measure blood alcohol content immediately after professional sporting events in the United States.

Results of the BAC revealed:

• 60% of participants exiting the game had zero BAC
• 40% showed a positive BAC
• Nearly 8% were legally drunk

The study also showed that people under the age of 35 were eight times more likely to be legally drunk than other fans, and those who "tailgate" before the game were the worst offenders. Tailgaters were shown to be 14 times more likely to leave a game intoxicated.

In an anonymous survey following the breathalyzer test, one in four tailgaters admitted to consuming at least five alcoholic beverages. Those with the highest BAC range consumed an average of 6.6 drinks. The study also showed that one out of every 12 fans attending a football or baseball game will leave the stadium legally drunk. Let’s do the math. If 60,000 people show up to a football game and one out of 12 leaves drunk, that’s 5,000 intoxicated people on their way home.  The most alarming thing is a good percentage of these intoxicated fans will probably get behind the wheel and drive home.

Taking Action
In an effort to minimize alcohol related incidents many sports stadiums and arenas have set their own policies. For example at the University of Phoenix Stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals, play they strongly encourage all fans to exercise responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.

A few of their rules include:

• Any fan that shows signs of impairment and/or intoxication will not be allowed to enter or will be removed from University of Phoenix Stadium and subject to arrest.
• Any attempt to bring alcohol inside the stadium or possession of an alcoholic beverage not purchased from the University of Phoenix Stadium concessionaire may result in ejection.
• Concessionaire staff members reserve the right to deny service to fans that show signs of impairment and/or intoxication.
• A maximum of two alcoholic beverages or 32 ounces of beer will be sold per person per transaction.
• Alcohol sales in the general seating areas of University of Phoenix Stadium will stop at the conclusion of the third quarter.

Angel Stadium of Anaheim, home of the Los Angeles Angels, takes it a step further by not even allowing people to bring alcohol into the parking lot or consume it there. They also stop the sales of alcohol inside the stadium at the conclusion of the 7th inning.

Unfortunately not all sports facilities have strict policies regarding alcohol. In an effort to make all stadiums and arenas adhere to some sort of policy, the people at TeamCoalition.org have compiled this list of the average rules that all the members of their coalition follow:

• ID policy: 30 and younger
• Maximum number of beers per purchase: 2 beers
• Maximum serving size per beer: 20 oz
• Denial of outside beverages into the facility
• Alcohol sales cut off times for pro sports:
• MLB: end of the 7th inning
• NFL: end of the 3rd quarter
• NBA end of the 3rd period
• End of the 2nd period

Relief Pitcher
In addition to these proposed guidelines TeamCoalition.org suggests that all sports facilities also incorporate some type of designated driver program. To encourage participation in the program, the designated driver could be rewarded with free concessions, VIP parking or upgraded seating when available.

In return the designated driver will sign an agreement pledging to:

• Present a valid driver’s license proving they are over 21 years of age
• Not drink alcohol while at the stadium
• Take responsibility for driving home their friends and family who have been drinking

Closing Thoughts
Clinical proof shows that alcohol related issues need to be addressed in professional sports. Although some stadiums and organizations such as TeamCoalition.org are doing their part to set policies, it’s extremely crucial for fans to police themselves. If you’re attending a professional sporting event in the future, be sure to:

• Limit your alcohol consumption
• Be sure to eat food and drink plenty of water
• Always appoint a designated driver
• Plan to use public transportation or a taxi
• Use  common sense

And always remember to Drive Safely.

Sources:
http://www.drinking-problem.com/drunk-driving/fans-leaving-sports-events-legally-drunk/
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/tailgaters-drunk-sporting-events/story?id=12646946#.UCvl_KllTMg
http://www.teamcoalition.org/about/policies.asp

About I DRIVE SAFELY
Founded in 1998, IDRIVE SAFELY is the largest online driving school in the United States offering Online Traffic School/ Defensive Driving, Teen and Adult Drivers Ed and Insurance Reduction courses.  For more information, visit www.idrivesafely.com.  I DRIVE SAFELY can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/idrivesafely.  

Kicking Off Another Great Season with the NFL
By MADD | September 5, 2012 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

For the third year, MADD and the National Football League are partnering to remind fans to “play the most important position in the NFL—the designated driver!”  Through this partnership, MADD members will attend select NFL football games this fall, provide information at MADD-branded booths, as well as circulate through the parking lots promoting the message of the importance of designating a sober driver before the game begins.

We’ve added even more teams to the partnership this year. For the 2012-2013 season we’ve partnered with the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins to help keep their fans safe.

In addition to the game-day program, another of our NFL partnership initiatives is back for another year—MADD Props!  MADD and the NFL want to help prevent some of the 6,000 deaths each year caused by teen alcohol use. Teens can take a stand through the MADD’s Power of You(th) Facebook page by signing the pledge to not drink before age 21 and to never ride in a car with someone who’s been drinking. By taking the pledge, they’ll be entered to win official NFL prizes from their favorite team. Teens can also draft their friends to take the pledge for a better chance to win.

We are grateful to the NFL for partnering with MADD to help raise aweareness about the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking.

Why We’re Here: David West
By MADD | September 4, 2012 | Filed in: Drugged Driving , Victim Services , Victim Stories

David West

David West was 12 years old when his family moved from California to the small rural town of Glide, Oregon. Most kids would despise being uprooted from everything they know to settle in the country, miles away from the nearest town, but not David.  David fell in love with the county—hunting, fishing, mudding in his truck. He loved the outdoors. David grew up to become an ironworker.  It was a physically demanding job, but David loved it and was proud of his work.  He married his high school sweetheart, Nikki, and together they had two children.

On January 14, 2006, his sister’s birthday, David was killed in a drunk driving crash at age 29.

After David’s death, Beth’s sister contacted MADD and was provided with victim support materials, which Beth said she found very helpful. She was also assigned a victim advocate—Ann Pratt, whose son was killed in a drunk driving crash.  Among other things, Ann helped the West family through the taxing legal process, and Beth credits Ann for “getting their family to where they are today.” When walking into court for the first day of the trial Beth lost it, saying “I can’t do this.” But Ann was there and told her “Yes you can.”  Beth says she can’t thank Ann enough for everything she has done for her and her family.

Jacob, Dan, David and Lorri West

Since David’s death, the family has become dedicated to putting an end to senseless drunk driving deaths. Each November, they put on a community awareness event in correlation with MADD’s Tie One On For Safety holiday initiative. Local and state police departments participate in the event and bring their mobile DUI unit and impairment goggles to help the public learn more about the dangers of drunk driving.  The event continues to grow each year, and in recent years more than 300 people have attended. David’s brother Dan, a MADD volunteer, has taken lead for this and several other events each year to help raise awareness in the community, in honor of his brother.

Beth, David’s mother, volunteers as a MADD court monitor and victim advocate,  As a court monitor, Beth finds comfort in knowing that her presence can help make an difference.  She says, “Oregon has good drunk driving laws, they just need to be enforced.”  Beth became a victim advocate because she wanted to be there for other victim/survivors and their families, like her victim advocate was for her, especially during the trial.  She says, “trial can be an extremely difficult experience.  Many drunk driving victim/survivors have never been to court before and have no concept of the criminal justice system.  It’s important for victims to know their rights, and that’s what I hope to assist with as a victim advocate.”

On the first day of a trial as a victim advocate, the victim Beth accompanied to court said “I can’t do this.”  And just as her advocate had said to her years before, Beth told her, “Yes you can.”

The West family is currently going through a post-conviction appeals process, and through sharing her story, Beth hopes that she can explain to people how stressful and emotional the appeal process can be.  Her advice to others is to learn not to take the criminal justice outcome personally and to accept it as part of the system.  Learning to do this helped her to manage her own anguish and remain focused on making a long-term difference for others.

The West Family

Nassau County Cracks Down on Ignition Interlock Violations
By MADD | August 30, 2012 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

Mothers Against Drunk Driving praises Nassau County for their recent two-week sweep that resulted in the arrest of 25 convicted drunk drivers who were in violation of court-ordered ignition interlock requirements. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and the Nassau County Department of Probation are a stellar example of a successful coordinated effort to enforce lifesaving laws requiring convicted drunk drivers to prove they are sober before their car will start.

According to the CDC, ignition interlocks have been proven effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses by 67 percent. Unfortunately, less than a quarter of all drunk driving offenders nationwide get ignition interlock devices, either due to lack of a law requiring the device or failure in the implementation of all offender interlock laws.

Laws requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers are a critical component of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®. The recently signed federal transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), fully endorsed MADD’s Campaign, in part by providing financial incentives to states that pass all-offender ignition interlock laws. Read the blog post about MAP-21 for more info.

Nassau County’s commitment to enforcing the state’s ignition interlock law will undoubtedly result in lives saved and injuries prevented, and MADD encourages other counties across the country to follow Nassau County’s lead, making sure that convicted drunk drivers are not endangering public safety by driving a vehicle without an interlock.