NFL Endorses MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®
By MADD | March 19, 2013 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

Yesterday at their annual league meeting in Phoenix, the National Football League (NFL) announced their emphatic support for MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.  The Campaign is based on proven strategies and research which will reduce and eventually eliminate drunk driving.  The Campaign includes:

• Supporting high visibility law enforcement activities to catch drunk drivers and discourage others from driving drunk.
• Requiring ignition interlock devices, or in-car breathalyzers, for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders, to prove they are sober before their car will start. When a convicted drunk driver wishes to start his or her vehicle, he or she must first blow into the device. The vehicle will not start unless the driver’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is below a preset level.
• Supporting the development of advanced vehicle technology that could automatically determine a driver’s BAC and stop a drunk driver above the legal limit of .08 from driving.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement stating, “We are pleased to endorse MADD’s campaign and further build upon our partnership to do everything we can to warn players, team personnel and fans about the dangers of drunk driving.  We have made progress but have more work to do to ensure that everyone associated with the NFL makes safe, responsible decisions with alcohol and never gets behind the wheel when they shouldn’t.”

MADD and the NFL began their partnership in 2010.  It includes game day designated driver programs in 11 stadiums, player education and other awareness activities.  New for 2013, the NFL plans on convening an alcohol-related summit this year in conjunction with MADD that will include NFL players, coaches, team doctors and executives, counselors, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

We thank the NFL for showing their support of MADD’s Campaign as we work to eliminate drunk driving for fans and families alike.

Click here to watch the Commissioner's announcement from the press conference.

Volunteer Spotlight: Lynne Goughler
By MADD | March 8, 2013 | Filed in: Volunteers

We would like to shine the volunteer spotlight on Lynne Goughler, who was recently awarded the first ever MADD Minnesota Achievement Award in recognition of her years of service in the fight against drunk driving.

Lynne’s dedication to drunk driving prevention stems from the tragic death of her parents, who were hit and instantly killed by a drunk driver in 1992 as they were walking across the street from a restaurant to their hotel. 

Since she began her work in 1996 as a MADD volunteer, she has served as an officer of the MADD Ramsey County Chapter, on the MADD Minnesota executive board, and served two terms on the MADD National Board. 

She currently serving as the Legislative Chair in Minnesota and spends countless hours at the State Capitol serving as the public policy liaison and advocating for tougher anti-drunk driving laws. 

Beyond her legislative work, Lynne continues to volunteer her time for MADD.  A few of her activities and achievements with MADD include:

• MADD National Board Public Policy Chair from 2003-2005
• Advocate for 0.08 BAC and primary seat belt laws in MN; testified countless times for these laws and other alcohol-related bills considered by the Legislature
• Spokesperson for MADD Minnesota policy issues
• Instructor at MADD’s public policy institutes

We are so thankful to have such wonderful volunteers like Lynne, who are so dedicated to MADD’s mission.  If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer, please find your state here and fill out the volunteer form.

Pledge to be Safe this St. Patrick’s Day
By MADD | March 8, 2013 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

St. Patrick’s Day has become a celebration of Irish culture in which people of all backgrounds take part in the festivities, which often include alcohol.  But far too often, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations end in tragedy because of drunk driving.

That’s why this year we’re asking everyone to take a pledge:

Then share your pledge on Facebook and Twitter to let your friends know you’ll be the DD (non-drinking designated driver), or that you vow not to drink and drive this St. Patrick’s Day, and encourage them to do the same.

MADD wants you to enjoy the holiday, but more importantly, we want everyone to get home safe.  So before you dress in green and attend any Irish-themed parties or parades, make plans for a safe and sober way home or an overnight stay if you’re drinking.

Bartender Fired For Calling Cops on Drunk Driver
By MADD | March 7, 2013 | Filed in: Drunk Driving

It takes every concerned citizen to help prevent drunk driving.  MADD has always said, if you think you see someone driving drunk, don’t hesitate to call the police. 

That’s what Twyla DeVito, a bartender in Shelby, Ohio did… and she was fired for it.  A patron at the bar she was working at had been drinking all day, and when he went to get in his car to head home, Twyla knew he had no business driving so she called the police.  He failed the sobriety test and his BAC was twice over the legal limit.  But soon after, Twyla received a call from her boss and was fired because having a bartender who will call the cops is “bad for business.”

Twyla’s story has been featured on Inside Edition and was discussed on the show The Talk, where Sharon Osbourne said, “I think it’s so unfair she got let go. Hideous.”

We commend Twyla, and people like her across the country, for taking the necessary steps to save lives, no matter the consequences.

Learn how to recognize and report drunk drivers on the roadways and read tips on how to prevent someone from driving drunk.

Why We’re Here: Helene Zucker Seeman
By MADD | March 5, 2013 | Filed in: Victim Stories

On June 27, 2010, Fred Seeman and Helene Zucker Seeman were heading home after dinner at a friend’s house—a 10 minute drive.  As they were turning into their driveway, a drunk driver with a BAC nearly three times the legal limit and driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit on a dark two-lane road, crashed into the Seemans’ vehicle.  Helene, who was sitting in the passenger seat where the car struck, was pronounced dead at the scene. Fred was transported in a Medevac helicopter to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

Helene left behind two sons—Ford, and Curtis who were 23 and 17 respectively at the time of the crash.

Helene was an enthusiastic and bright person. She was always smiling and lived life to the fullest.  She was a distinguished art curator in New York, working as the director of the Art Acquisition Program for the Prudential Life Insurance Company. She also worked as an adjunct professor at New York University’s School of Continuing Education.

Helene was active in and loved by those in her community. On September 11th, 2001, Helene was living in Battery Park City and active participated in the relief effort cleaning up her neighborhood. 

Her son Ford shared a story in her eulogy of his experience telling an employee at the local rental car company Helene used occasionally:

“Not knowing who the woman was behind the desk, I introduced myself and told her I was sorry to inform her of my mother’s passing. The reaction of this woman, this woman who to me meant nothing, started crying uncontrollably. This was the effect my mother had. She was a pure soul who had the social graces of any of history's greatest queens. She was a queen, she was my queen, and my light and my love.”

The Brooklyn Museum has established the Helene Zucker Seeman Memorial Exhibition Fund to support a variety of exhibitions by a recognized or emerging woman artist that will be presented at the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art.