MADD National Conference: Steps on Capitol Hill
By Jan Withers | September 27, 2012 | Filed in: General

Today, as part of the 2012 Mothers Against Drunk Driving National Conference, more than 300 drunk driving crash victims and survivors, MADD volunteers and supporters from across the country are gathered at the U.S. Capitol for legislative meetings to urge Congressional action on two important measures: full funding for priority highway safety programs, and passage of a Constitutional Amendment providing for crime victims’ rights.

Click here to read the press release for more information.

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.

Cocktail Expression launch at Macy’s in Herald Square
By Jan Withers | August 27, 2012 | Filed in: General , National President

This Saturday I was privileged to attend the launch of PVH Cocktail Expression ties at the famous Macy's in New York City's Herald Square. The ties are a rich combination of vivid colors woven into the fabric in designs taken from the actual molecular structure of various alcoholic beverages. The creations bear a message from MADD warning about the dangers of drinking and driving, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Creator Irwin Sternberg brought his enthusiasm and energy to the event. Designer Michael Mone, President of Harry Bacrach, Inc. and PVH Neckwear President David Sirkin were also present and committed to the day’s success. In addition, MADD New York volunteers and staff showed their dedication by attending in order to share information about MADD with customers. The information was well received and we were frequently thanked for what we do.

Upon arriving I was greeted with the beautiful smile of volunteer Peggy Lang. Later, during a quiet moment, she shared the story of her son, David Bareck, who was killed by a drunk driver. Her gentleness radiated to everyone around her and soon touched her friend upon arrival, volunteer Natacha Menzies, whose police officer husband, Andre, was killed by a drunk driver less than two years ago. Natacha brought her precious daughter, Victoria, who stole the day with her sweet, bright character. We were also joined by Tom McCoy, ED for MADD NY and Lissa Harris, Program Specialist with MADD NY. Mr. Sternberg invited our volunteers to autograph the back of each tie purchased, with a "thanks for your support." Little Victoria became our star with everyone coveting her perfectly penned signature.   

David Serkin (PVH), Michael Mone, Irwin Sternberg, Jan Withers, Natacha Menzies and Peggy Lang toasting the launch with non-alcoholic beverages	Natacha Menzies, Victoria Menzies,  Peggy Lang and Jan Withers

In addition, a lovely woman, Tippi, whose daughter, Alexandra, was killed in 1994, stopped by with her husband. She connected immediately with Peggy Lang, and now plans to volunteer with MADD. Another gentleman, Doug Szulman, came specifically to the event to meet the MADD President. He wanted to personally tell me how much MADD has done for him and his family. He was critically injured when he was 19 years old by a drunk driver, calling those times the darkest moments of his life, and he continues to endure endless series of surgeries as a result. Prior to the crash, he had planned to go to medical school, but the physical rigors made that impossible. Instead, he was so inspired by the attorney who supported them that he also became an attorney. Now, he is in the process of writing a book about dealing with the tragedy over these many years titled, From the Bottom of the Pool, A Life Reconstructed. The book centers on how he travails upon being thrust into a chaos so young and the people he meets in finding his way back who give him the tools and insight to lead a productive, fulfilling life. I look forward to reading it once it is published. 

Jan and Doug Szulman	Jan, Peggy Lang, Tippi and her husband

My dear husband, Joe, rode the train with me up to the Big Apple, sporting his Cocktail Tie from the original 1994 creations in honor of Mr. Irwin Sternberg’s earlier work. Irwin recognized it immediately and began telling stories from those days, along with his launch of the Jerry Garcia ties and their friendship. Naturally, Joe purchased a new tie and modeled it the entire day, but Natacha took the show, sporting a cocktail expression tie to match her exquisite dress.

The day was successful and fulfilling. I am so grateful for the support of Irwin Sternberg, PVH and Macy’s. The connections made on every level were heartwarming and invaluable. It is just another reminder that there are so many individuals who care about the work MADD is doing and so many who are grateful for what MADD has done for them.  

Contact your Representative to Help Protect Crime Victims' Rights
By MADD | July 19, 2012 | Filed in: General , Victim Services

We need your help to give crime victims the rights they deserve, but time is running out.  Please call or email your United States Representative today and urge him or her to co-sponsor House Joint Resolution 106 (H. J. Res. 106), a proposed U.S. Constitutional Amendment for Victims’ Rights.

This amendment would protect the vital rights of crime victims to be notified of proceedings, to be present at proceedings, and to be heard on important decisions.  Right now, every state has statutory laws and most states have state constitutional amendments protecting victims' rights, but these laws are ineffective. 

Even in states giving "strong protection" to victims’ rights, fewer than 60 percent of the victims were notified of the sentencing hearing and fewer than 40 percent were notified of the pretrial release of the defendant.  This is largely because defendant rights are enshrined in the federal Constitution – 23 separate rights in all – but victims' rights are state-based.

The only way that crime victims’ rights will be protected is to even the playing field through a federal constitutional amendment—House Joint Resolution 106.

At least 100 co-sponsors are needed to move it forward as the legislative session draws to a close.  So please contact your representative today by phone or email.  Your voice matters!

Click here to find your U.S. Representative's contact information, or click here to email them through madd.org.

Recording Artist Sara G Supports MADD
By MADD | July 17, 2012 | Filed in: Drunk Driving , General , Underage Drinking

Summer can be a dangerous time both on America’s roadways, and for teens on summer vacation. That’s why we are working hard this summer to stop the preventable deaths and injuries resulting from drunk driving and underage drinking.  We’ve teamed up with recording artist and former Miss World Canada Sara G and her single “Call Me A Cab,” to create MADD PSAs. These PSAs reminds summer revelers to always designate a sober driver before they go out, as well as additional PSAs letting kids know that drinking underage isn’t cool—it’s dangerous.  

Listen to the PSAs now:

15 second drunk driving PSA  |  30 second drunk driving PSA
20 second underage drinking PSA  |  30 second underage drinking PSA

We would also like to thank Sara G for donating 29 cents for each download of the single “Call Me A Cab” purchased off of iTunes now through October 31st.  Learn more.

Thanks to Sara G and Inasense Records for making our roads safer this summer.