National EMS Week
By MADD | May 22, 2012 | Filed in: General

MADD often acknowledges and thanks the heroes in law enforcement who work to keep our roads safe, but this week we want to honor another group of brave men and women who provide lifesaving contributions to the health and safety of our country: the emergency medical service providers.   This week is National Emergency Medical Services Week, a week to honor all of those who dedicate their lives to helping others.

As stated in the 2012 Emergency Medical Services Week Presidential Proclamation, “emergency medical services personnel demonstrate a profound commitment to our country and to our common humanity. Day after day, they answer the call to serve -- to step into crisis and spark hope where it grows dim. This week, let us pay tribute to these selfless individuals and renew our promise to provide them with the support and services they need to protect their communities.”  Read the full Presidential Proclamation.

As first responders, EMS personnel provide vital services in the aftermath of a drunk driving crash.  We honor you and thank you for all you do.

Tips to Help Drivers Stay Safe on the Road this Memorial Day Weekend
By MADD | May 21, 2012 | Filed in: Drunk Driving , General

As families across the country get ready to kick off the summer and honor our military heroes this Memorial Day weekend, MADD urges motorists to stay safe on the road during a time of year when drunk driving deaths typically increase. Over Memorial Day weekend in 2010, 158 people were killed in drunk driving crashes nationwide.

Here are five tips for safe driving over the holiday weekend and year-round:

1. Plan a safe way home. Arrange a sober ride home, or offer to be the sober designated driver.
2. Wear a seat belt. Seat belt usage is one of the best ways to stay safe on our roadways.
3. Don’t call or text. Any form of impaired driving poses a serious threat to those on the road.
4. Slow down. Respect all posted speed limits.
5. Be aware. Pay attention to other drivers on the road and avoid those driving erratically.

Law enforcement agencies across the country will be intensifying their efforts over the holiday weekend, so MADD encourages drivers to utilize these tips, which have the power to save lives and prevent injuries.

Get more information about how to spot a drunk driver and what to do, or learn more about MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®. 

National Police Week
By MADD | May 14, 2012 | Filed in: General

This post was written by Carl McDonald, MADD’s National Law Enforcement Initiatives Manager.  Carl is a retired Lieutenant of the Wyoming State Patrol. 

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. is hallowed ground for me.  Some of my friend’s names are inscribed upon the walls there.   Many years ago as a young state trooper I first entered the plaza of the memorial.  It is a starkly poignant place.  My emotions were stirred most not by the number of names inscribed there, but more by the vacant space that will be filled with the names of those to come.  Years later, I now reflect about my survival and that of my fellow officers.

Law enforcement is a dangerous business.  Survival is dependent upon constant vigilance not only of those violent situations that can take place where human emotions rule, but also by constant exposure to the unpredictable.  Thanks to television drama and other fiction, we are all familiar with firearms related incidents and law enforcement officers, sometimes with a constant barrage of gun fights during prime time viewing.  However, here are some facts to consider:

• By the close of 2010, traffic related fatalities among law enforcement officers lead all categories of officer deaths for 14 straight years
• Officers killed by drunk drivers increased by 43% over the last four decades
• 153 officers were struck and killed by vehicles from 2001 – 2010
• Although 49 states now have “Move Over” laws requiring motorists to change lanes and reduce speed when encountering emergency vehicles upon the roadway, 71% of the public has never heard of these laws (Hawaii and Washington D.C. have yet to pass this law)

At MADD, we consider law enforcement to be our first, most natural partner.  These are our heroes that make our roadways safe.  In addition, MADD is in constant partnership with agencies that are making a difference in the safety of the law enforcement officers in this country.  Our partners include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, The National Sheriffs’ Association, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Department of Justice, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted program, and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the source for the above statistics.

National Police week is a time set aside for recognizing the service and sacrifice of law enforcement in the United States.  Every year, National Police Week is observed during the week in which May 15th falls as established by a joint resolution in Congress in 1962.  This is a time for special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty; those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of others.

Like so many others this week, I will take this time to reflect.  I will reflect upon those who’ve fallen, their families, and their sacrifice for us all.  It is their time.  It is their week.

5 Memorial Day Road Rules
By Guest Blogger | May 3, 2012 | Filed in: General

Provided by Nationwide Insurance^® the national presenting sponsor of the Power of Parents program. Nationwide also offers exclusive discounts to MADD supporters, learn more.

For many people, Memorial Day is a time to celebrate freedom, in more ways than one. We salute the U.S. veterans who sacrificed to preserve and protect us. And many of us celebrate freedom of the road on this holiday.

The unofficial kick-off for summer, Memorial Day weekend is one of the heaviest for traffic, which translates into more accidents. More than 470 people were killed during Memorial Day weekend in 2009, the most recent year for which such data is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Protect your family with these safe driving tips from the NHTSA:

1. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol and driving is always a bad mix. Every day, nearly 30 people in the U.S. die in a motor-vehicle crash involving an alcohol-impaired driver. If you have teen drivers, learn how to talk to them about alcohol.
    
2. Keep your tires properly inflated. If Memorial Day weekend means a road trip for you and the gang, make sure your tires are ready to endure the marathon. A hot traveling surface can take its toll.
    
3. Check your windshield. Make sure your view is clear and your wipers are in good shape. A sudden summer storm will hinder visibility more rapidly if there’s a coat of grime or dust on the windshield.
    
4. Never leave kids unattended. Don’t leave your children in the car, even if you’re just running into the store for sunscreen. Temperatures inside an automobile can increase to deadly levels quickly.
    
5. Rest up. To stay alert on your trip, get plenty of rest before you leave. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination to avoid aggravation, and keep yourself hydrated by bringing water with you.

National Volunteer Week
By MADD | April 18, 2012 | Filed in: General

Volunteers are the heart and soul of MADD. It is their compassion and determination that drives the organization and it is their tireless efforts that have accomplished so much. This week, April 15-21, is National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize the contributions of MADD’s incredible volunteers.  

We are so grateful for each and every one of our volunteers and the work that they do.  MADD would not be successful without their dedication, support and generosity.

If you already volunteer for MADD, we would love to hear about your experience.  Please tell us why you volunteer for MADD on our Facebook page.

If not, there’s a place for you at MADD.  Whether you’re interested in volunteering a couple of time a year or a couple of times a week, we have a wide variety of opportunities to match your interests and expertise.  Fill out our online form to get started.