DADSS Featured on CBS
By
MADD
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January 4, 2013
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
The Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) program is a key element of MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® and is the result of a cooperative agreement between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the world’s leading automakers, working through the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety. The project’s goal is to develop an inexpensive, publicly-supported and extremely accurate technology that passively senses if a driver is at or above the illegal limit of .08 BAC. If the driver is drunk, the DADSS technology would prevent the vehicle from starting.
We continue to look forward to the day when there are no more drunk driving deaths or injuries, and DADSS has the potential to eliminate drunk driving once and for all. Please join us in the fight by pledging to support the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and its three vital components today.
MADD Board Member on NBC Nightly News
By
MADD
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January 3, 2013
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
MADD Board Member Nina Walker shares the story of her daughter, Ginger, on NBC Nightly News.
Ignition Interlocks are a key component of MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®. Ignition interlocks are critical to eliminating drunk driving, as a majority of convicted drunk drivers will continue to drive on a suspended license. States that are enforcing all-offender ignition interlock laws, such as Arizona and Oregon, have cut DUI deaths in half, largely due to comprehensive interlock laws requiring all drunk drivers receive the device.
Currently 17 states require interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers – Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Virginia and Washington. If you are a resident of one of the other 33 states, contact your legislators and tell them you support saving lives and eliminating repeat drunk driving offenses by requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders.
Plan Ahead this New Year’s Eve
By
MADD
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December 28, 2012
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
Each year, nearly 10,000 people are killed in drunk driving crashes. The risk of sharing the road with a drunk driver is even higher on holidays like New Year’s, because of parties and get-togethers. In fact, New Year’s Day is the most dangerous day of the year for drunk driving on our nation’s roadways.
Let’s work together to make this holiday, and every day, safe for everyone traveling. Please use these tips to plan a safe New Year’s celebration for everyone:
Going out?
- Designate a sober driver to make sure you—and everyone with you—arrive home safely this holiday season.
- Save the number of a local cab service in your phone prior to heading out.
- Consider hiring a shuttle or limousine service to transport you and your friends to and from your event.
- Arrange a hotel stay for you and your friends on the evening of the event so no one drives home impaired.
Planning a party?
- Plan activities like party games or door prizes. Planned activities engage people, make for less active consumption of alcohol, and ensure that your friends remember the great event long after the last piece of confetti has settled.
- As guests RSVP, confirm that at least one person in each group is prepared to be the sober designated driver and/or has a plan to get home.
- Provide plenty of food to keep your guests from drinking on an empty stomach.
- Avoid too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty and drink more.
- Offer non-alcoholic beverages or “mocktails” for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol.
- If preparing an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base, like fruit juice. Alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream faster with a carbonated base.
- Be prepared by having the number of a taxi service on hand for those who need a ride. Also, be ready with some clean linens so you can turn your sofa into a bed for guests who need to sleep it off.
Wishing you a safe and happy New Year’s!
Why Were Here: Elaina Luquis-Ortiz
By
MADD
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December 27, 2012
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Filed in:
Victim Stories
Early morning on New Year’s Day in 2010, 21-year-old Elaina Luquis-Ortiz received a call from a friend who got a flat tire on the interstate. Elaina was in the process of selling the car to her friend, and since the insurance policy was still in her name, she thought it would be best if she met up with them to see if she could help.
The three were sitting in Elaina’s car on the shoulder of the freeway, waiting for the tow truck to arrive, when a drunk driver with a BAC more than three times the legal limit crashed into them. Elaina died at the scene and her two friends were transported to the hospital with major injuries.
Elaina was six months pregnant with her first child, Romeo. He also did not survive.
Elaina was so excited to become a mom. She had proudly posted ultrasound photos of Romeo on her MySpace page. But instead of a baby shower, Elaina’s family had to plan her funeral.
This holiday season, we remember Elaina, Romeo, and the thousands of others who are killed and injured every year by this 100% preventable crime.
We have our sites set high for 2013, and plan to make great progress with the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®, but we need your help to succeed. You can help save lives and serve victims in 2013 with your holiday gift to MADD today.
Watch the Dateline NBC ‘Holiday Survival’ Special
By
MADD
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December 27, 2012
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
Watch Dateline NBC ‘Holiday Survival’ special about what to do when someone tries to drive after they've been drinking:
