Tie One On For Safety: Overview

The busy holiday season is here -- a time when spirits are high, celebrations thrive and travel increases across America's roadways.  Tragically, drunk driving is on the rise during this special time.

That is why MADD conducts the Tie One On For Safety holiday ribbon campaign throughout November and December.

The MADD Tie One On For Safety program celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.  In conjunction with our legislative emphasis on primary safety belt laws and thanks to a partnership with national presenting sponsor Takata, the world's largest producer of seatbelts, the campaign incorporates a “buckle up” message with the long standing emphasis on safe and sober driving.  The Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. is also the campaign's national vehicle sponsor.  Mazda dealers across the country will distribute free MADD ribbons to the public between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

Tie One On For Safety:  History
MADD created the Tie One On For Safety campaign, which was originally named the 'Project Red Ribbon' campaign, in 1986 to help heighten public attention to drinking and driving during the holiday season.  The program was designed to encourage the public to become actively involved in the fight against drunk driving by tying a MADD ribbon to a visible place on their vehicle, such as the antenna or side mirror.

Previous national campaign chairpersons have included Connie Sellecca, Joan Lunden, Naomi Judd and Kelly Ripa, who supported the campaign by appearing at national events or other media appearances and through pubic service ads.

Tie One on for Safety Campaign Goals

• Recruit anti-drunk driving partners to tie MADD ribbons to a visible place on their vehicle.                         
• Increase awareness about drunk driving during the holiday season.                               
• Offer suggestions to deter drunk driving.                               
• Increase MADD's identity with the MADD ribbon and its symbolic meaning to prevent drunk driving by referring to the program as the Tie One On For Safety campaign. 

How can I promote the Tie One On For Safety Campaign? 

• Provide MADD ribbons to your office or church.                                
• Record a phone message about safe & sober driving during the holiday season.
• Set up a MADD ribbon distribution box in your office or church.                               
• Display drunk driving statistics in your office or church lobby.                               
• Provide MADD ribbons for the local transit authority.                               
• Mail MADD ribbons to community leaders.                               
• Pass out MADD ribbons as people leave any meeting to drive home.                               
• Be a responsible party host during the holiday season.

The Tie One On For Safety programs is sponsored by:

National Presenting Sponsor

National Vehicle Sponsor