Drunk Driving Fatalities Cut in Half Since MADD's Founding
By
MADD
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December 8, 2011
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released new 2010 drunk driving fatality data, announcing a reduction in drunk driving fatalities. This new data from NHTSA shows that fatalities have dropped 4.9 percent from 10,759 in 2009 to 10,228 in 2010.
"More than 3,200 fewer people were killed last year than in the previous four years," said Jan Withers, MADD National President. "That's 3,200 families who did not receive that terrible, life-changing call or visit from law enforcement letting them know their loved one wasn't coming home again."
This decline in fatalities means that drunk driving deaths have now been cut by more than half since MADD's founding 31 years ago. Our grassroots efforts have supported landmark legislation such as the national .08 blood alcohol concentration standard and the 21 minimum drinking age. Together, we have changed the culture in this country, from one that accepted drunk driving as a fact of life to one that recognizes drunk driving as a 100 percent preventable crime.
We will continue to work hard to bring that number to zero, because as Jan Withers says, "One life impacted by this terrible crime is one life too many, as there are still more than 10,000 drunk driving fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries every year."
Christmas Without Eddie
By
MADD
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December 7, 2011
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Filed in:
Drunk Driving
On the night of December 5, 2006, 24-year-old Deputy Eddie Miller was heading home from work when a drunk driver crossed the line on Route 35, near his home in rural Mason County, West Virginia, hitting his truck head on. Eddie died at the scene.
Eddie wanted to be a police officer since he was very young, and began doing ride-alongs with the Winfield Police and became active in the D.A.R.E. program. He not only served as a Putnam County Deputy Sherriff, he was also a Winfield police officer, a sergeant in the Army Reserves and was an active member of the Winfield Volunteer Fire Department.
Every morning after his death, Eddie’s mother, Selena Miller, dug at his grave with her bare hands trying to reach him, to hold and keep him warm. She says, “My greatest sorrow as a mother is that I never got to hold him one more time before he was buried. A mother gets to hold their son at birth and should be able to at their death.”
Margie Sadler, a MADD victim advocate, whose daughter was also a friend of Eddie’s, reached out to the Millers with no response. But after nine months, Selena called Margie sobbing, desperately needing someone to help her with the case, which fortunately, Margie was able to offer some assistance. Selena even stated that Margie was able to help her more in 48 hours than her attorney had in the 9 months after the crash.
Despite her terrible grief and initial desire to die, Selena realized that life had other plans. She is now able to understand the pain other parents feel after losing a child and through her own experience, can offer support. Since the crash that killed their son, the Millers have participated in sobriety checkpoints held by the West Virginia State Police, Putnam County Sheriff's Department, and Hurricane Police Department, in honor of Eddie.
This time of year is especially hard for the Millers, with the anniversary of the death of their son in the middle of what is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” The Millers no longer look forward to the Christmas season, as they once did. To get through the holidays, the Millers still choose to celebrate with family, but now they do so away from the home. When asked if they had any advice for other families, especially during the holidays, Selena stated that “changing the way you celebrate the holidays does help.”
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
By
MADD
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December 5, 2011
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Filed in:
Drugged Driving
,
Drunk Driving
December has been designated National Impaired Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. In issuing his proclamation, President Obama asked all Americans to “recommit to preventing tragedy before it strikes by ensuring our family members and friends stay safe, sober, and drug-free on the road.” Click here to read the proclamation. (Read more about our partnership with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and our Drugged Driving Initiative here).
The month of December is one of the busiest on the nation’s roadways, and also one of the most dangerous, due to a high incidence of alcohol and drug-related traffic crashes. During December 2009, there were 753 people killed in traffic crashes that involved a drunk driver.
MADD has these tips to help ensure everyone’s safety this holiday season:
- Designate a sober driver before celebrations begin;
- Plan safe parties, including providing non-alcoholic drink options to guests and not serving alcohol the last hour of the gathering;
- Never serve alcohol to those under the age of 21;
- If you’ve been drinking, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
- If you see an impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;
- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride with a driver who is impaired, take the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
Remember, impaired driving crashes are 100% preventable. Do your part this holiday season by choosing not to drive impaired and help others do the same.
Ways to Help MADD This Holiday Season
By
MADD
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December 2, 2011
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Filed in:
General
We are very fortunate to have such wonderful supporters who choose to give so generously, especially during the holidays when drunk driving is even more prevalent. Between Thanksgiving and New Years in 2009, more than 1,000 people were killed in alcohol related crashes in the U.S. Click here to help MADD in all of our 2012 endeavors to save lives and support victims.
While donations are very important and much appreciated, there are other ways you can get involved and help MADD this holiday season. This year, we’ve worked with our corporate supporters to provide you with simple ways to show your loved ones you care while at the same time, making a difference.
- Magazines. When you order a magazine through DialAmerica, they will donate 12.5% of the purchase price to support the fight against drunk driving. Learn more.
- Auto insurance. Nationwide has partnered with MADD to offer exclusive friend and supporter-only discounts to you. Learn more about these program benefits.
- Key tags. Hunter Interactive Inc. has created an exclusive MADD Tag for your key chain. The MADD Tag allows you to register your keys and have them returned to you in the mail if they are lost. Hunter Interactive has committed a minimum of 20% of the proceeds to MADD and our campaign against drunk driving. Learn more.
