MADD receives its tax-exempt status.

President Ronald Reagan announces the Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving and MADD is invited to serve as a member.

MADD backs a resolution enacted into law by Congress to establish the first National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week in December.

With MADD's help, the (Jim) Howard-(Mike) Barnes bill passes in Congress and signed into law by President Reagan, which sets aside federal highway funds to give to states funding (sec. 410 of U.S. transportation code) for anti-drunk driving efforts.

MADD grows to 100 chapters by year-end. 
  

MADD's national office moves to Hurst, Texas.

NBC produces and airs a made-for-television movie about MADD resulting in the growth of more chapters and significant media attention. 

The government reports that 129 new anti-drunk driving laws pass by year-end. 
  

The Federal 21 Minimum Drinking Age Law is signed by President Reagan on July 17.

MADD goes international when Canada becomes the first country outside of the U.S. to charter a MADD affiliate.

A direct mail campaign starts to educate the public and raise funds for MADD's mission.

The organization changes its name to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

MADD grows to more than 330 chapters in 47 states. 
  

MADD establishes Victim Assistance Institutes to train volunteers in supporting victims of drunk driving and serving as their advocates in the criminal justice system.

Project Red Ribbon is introduced - known today as Tie One On For Safety - and MADD distributes 1 million red ribbons as motorists pledge to drive safe and sober during the winter holidays. 
  

MADD submits an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court opposing an effort by several states to have the federal Age 21 law ruled unconstitutional.  The law was successfully upheld. 
  

Omnibus Anti-Drug Abuse Act is signed.  Included in this landmark bill is an amendment that extends the same compensation rights offered to victims of other crimes to all victims of DWI.  Another amendment creates the Drunk Driving Prevention Act (Section 410), which increases incentives for key state DWI law enactment.  The Alcohol Beverage Labeling Act, requiring warnings on alcohol containers, is also adopted.

MADDvocate magazine is launched.

Impaired Driving Issues workshops and compendia are created to instruct judges, legislators, law enforcement officials and MADD members on how to amend and implement stronger anti-DWI laws.

All 50 states pass the federal 21 law as the minimum legal drinking age. 
  

First MADD National Youth Conference, co-sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters, is held in Washington, D.C.

MADD forms Victim Impact Panels as a national program and publishes a "how-to" booklet and video. 
  

MADD files an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court over the constitutionality of sobriety checkpoints.  Following a hearing, the court rules in favor of checkpoints.  MADD later establishes the week of July 4th as National Sobriety Checkpoint Week.

MADD introduces its "20 by 2000" plan to reduce the proportion of traffic fatalities that are alcohol-related 20 percent by the year 2000.

Four states lower their illegal blood alcohol content (BAC) law from .10 to .08 percent by year-end. 
  

Congress passes the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), which includes an updated Section 410 program to more effectively encourage states to adopt key anti-DUI legislation.  MADD has a key role in shaping the program.

First national MADD Rating the States survey is released, drawing nationwide attention to the status of state and federal efforts against drunk driving.

The Transportation Employee Testing Safety Act passes, requiring alcohol as well as drug testing of transportation employees in safety-sensitive jobs, including random, pre-employment and post-crash testing.  MADD constituents help secure House action after the Senate had already taken action 11 times. 
  

MADD-sponsored Gallup survey of public attitudes on drunk driving reveals that Americans cite drunk driving as the No. 1 problem on the nation's highways.

MADD develops seminars to help educate clergy, funeral directors and allied professionals on the special needs of family members following a tragic death.

MADD testifies on Capitol Hill on issues including funding for the Section 410 incentive grant program and the Sensible Advertising and Family Education (SAFE) Act, which requires extending the current health and safety warnings on alcohol beverage containers to all alcohol advertising. 
  

Second national Rating the States survey is released, highlighting progress and challenges in the fight against impaired driving. The nation receives a "B-."

MADD releases the results from its second yearlong Gallup survey on drunk driving, which shows the public is becoming increasingly less tolerant of drunk drivers and more supportive of stiffer penalties.

Release of the 1993 Fatal Accident Reporting System statistics reveals that alcohol-related traffic deaths dropped the previous year to a 30-year low.  NHTSA credits MADD along with tougher laws.

Chronicle of Philanthropy survey shows MADD as America's most popular charity.
 
MADD premieres "Hollywood gets MADD" with Siskel & Ebert on national TV. 
  

MADD participates in the secretary of transportation's Summit on Highway Safety, announcing a proposed goal of reducing alcohol-related traffic fatalities to 11,000 or fewer by the year 2005.

MADD begins holding Public Policy Institutes to train state public policy liaisons in DUI issues and legislative "how-to" techniques.

Federal Zero Tolerance Law passes by Congress, tying federal highway funds to the passage of a state-level version of the Zero Tolerance Law. 
  

MADD announces new focus on underage drinking and impaired driving with youth programs born out of Commission on Youth report.

MADD pilots six Youth In Action sites.

MADD launches its Web site - www.madd.org.

President Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole announce support for the Crime Victims Rights Constitutional Amendment.

Third national Rating the States survey is released announcing a drop in nation's grade to a "C," primarily due to rise in drunk driving fatalities. 
  

MADD reaches 20 x 2000 goal three years ahead of schedule when the percentage of alcohol-related traffic crashes falls below 40 percent.

First MADD National Youth Summit to Prevent Underage Drinking is held in Washington, D.C.  Four hundred thirty-five (435) teens, representing each U.S. Congressional District, attended the summit to develop and present solutions to the underage drinking problem.

DRIVEN magazine is launched.

MADD hosts International Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance and Hope at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.  Over 1,000 people participate. 
  

First youth representative is elected to MADD's National Board of Directors.

MADD commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Kentucky Bus Crash - the deadliest drunk driving crash in U.S. history killing 27 and injuring 30 others.

U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes federal .08 percent BAC bill, although the House refuses to vote on the amendment.  Congress adopts a $500 million incentive program.

Zero Tolerance legislation passes in all 50 states. 
  

MADD National Board of Directors unanimously votes to change the organization's mission statement to include the prevention of underage drinking

MADD establishes a presence in Guam and Puerto Rico.  Two chapters are established in North Dakota, giving MADD a presence in all 50 states.

MADD and NHTSA host a National Diversity Forum.  MADD National Board of Directors adopts recommendations from MADD's Diversity Task Force on program outreach to people of ethnic diversity.

MADD and Sam Houston State University announce the launch of the National Institute for Victim Studies.

Fourth national Rating the States survey is released.  The nation receives an average grade of "C+" due to the leveling rate of decline in alcohol-related traffic deaths and thwarted passage of key federal legislation.

MADD releases its Higher Risk Driver Program targeting repeat offenders, high BAC drivers and those driving on a suspended license as a result of a DWI. 
  

MADD kicks-off its 20th anniversary year with its Making a Difference Daily campaign honoring special MADD volunteers every day of 2000. 

An anniversary rally is held outside the U.S. Capitol where 600 activists call upon Congress to enact a national .08 percent BAC standard.  A sponsored Gallup survey is released showing 97 percent name recognition for MADD and growing support for .08 BAC and other MADD initiatives. 

MADD grows to approximately 600 chapters and 2 million members/supporters.

The second MADD National Youth Summit to Prevent Underage Drinking is held in Washington, D.C.

MADD and NHTSA conduct the first Native American Safe & Sober workshop in Albuquerque, N.M., as part of an ongoing commitment to improving traffic safety in diverse communities.

U.S. Congress passes a national .08 BAC measure as part of the Federal Transportation Appropriations Bill.  President Clinton signs the bill into law on October 23, 2000.  By the end of the year, 21 states lower the illegal drunk driving limit to .08 BAC.

President-elect George W. Bush and Democratic candidate Al Gore announce their support for the Crime Victims Rights Constitutional Amendment. 
 

MADD is named one of Worth magazine's 100 Best Charities in America. 

The MADD College Commission Report to Address Alcohol's Impact on America's College Campuses is released along with the announcement of UMADD, MADD's first college chapter.

MADD launches Fake ID and Street Smarts, multi-media school assembly programs for elementary, junior high and high school students.

MADD develops Protecting You/Protecting Me an elementary school curriculum based on brain research and designed to help children protect themselves from underage drinking and when riding with an alcohol-impaired driver.

The first MADD National Board of Advisors is announced, bringing together experts and celebrities dedicated to MADD's mission.

MADD joins other leading victim service organizations to issue a series of trauma recovery tips following the tragic September 11th attacks on America.

MADD and sponsor Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. launch Pasa Las Llaves (Pass Keys) - a program designed to educate Latino communities about the risks of drunk driving in Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and Chicago.

The MADD National Impaired Driving Summit convenes experts to identify the most effective countermeasures to reduce alcohol-related traffic deaths and injuries.  As a result, MADD unveils its eight-point action plan.

MADD joins other health and safety groups to release a national public opinion poll showing that 71 percent of Americans would support increasing the national beer tax a few cents per bottle to equal the tax on liquor if the funds were used for substance abuse prevention. 

As part of an ongoing commitment to improve traffic safety in diverse communities, MADD launches its Spanish-language Web site - www.madd.org/spanish. 

Protecting You/Protecting Me elementary alcohol use prevention curriculum is recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) as a Model Program.  MADD's program is one of only 41 programs to receive this distinction.

MADD testifies before Congressional leaders on the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), a six-year highway funding bill.                            

MADD updates its image with the launch of a new logo. 

IRL… in real life multimedia school assembly show is unveiled for junior high and high school students.

MADD issues its fifth national Rating the States report, giving the nation a "C" grade in the war on drunk driving, primarily due to an increase in alcohol-related traffic deaths.

MADD continues to expand internationally with affiliates in Australia and Japan.

MADD's trained victim advocates serve 22,000 victims/survivors of drunk driving crashes.

Thirty-four (34) states and D.C. pass the .08 BAC law by year-end.

MADD testifies before the Senate subcommittees regarding highway safety initiatives, including TEA-21.

MADD holds a national press event in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Kentucky bus crash - the worst drunk driving crash in U.S. history - and to highlight its recommendations for TEA-21 reauthorization. 

MADD hosts its first MADD Media Awards program with a luncheon in Washington, D.C.  The annual program honors winning journalists and media outlets for outstanding coverage of issues related to MADD's mission.

MADD establishes an affiliate in Sweden expanding MADD's reach to five continents.

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) issues its recommendations to address the underage drinking problem in America.  MADD responds in support of the report.

MADD receives the Fries Prize for Improving Health from the Healthtrac Foundation for efforts to lower the federal illegal drunk driving limit to .08 BAC.
 
The 2003 MADD National Board of Advisors is announced made up of notable celebrities, traffic safety experts and business leaders.

MADD launches FACE, a multimedia show for junior high and high school students to help youth make good choices to the tough decisions they face regarding alcohol.

MADD announces Path of Hope, a victim services awareness campaign and resources specifically designed for Native American nations, tribes and pueblos.

Forty-five states (45) and D.C. pass the illegal .08 blood alcohol concentration law by year-end.

MADD announces AlcoholEdu for High School, a non-opinionated, science-based online alcohol use prevention program for high school students.

MADD convenes its first Law Enforcement Leadership Summit to discuss best practices in lowering impaired driving deaths and injuries.

MADD testifies before Congress in the U.S. House Education Reform Subcommittee on underage drinking issues in response to the NAS report.

MADD's child endangerment report, Everyone Deserves a Designated Driver, is released highlighting the need to protect children riding in vehicles with impaired parents or caregivers through stronger laws and enforcement and increased training and public awareness.

MADD participates in World Health Day promoting roadway safety.

MADD kicks off Strides for Change, a pledge-based walk piloted in six cities.

By July, all 50 states and D.C. pass .08 BAC as the illegal drunk driving limit.

MADD and the nation celebrate the 20th anniversary of 21 drinking age law.

Seven (7) congressional members introduce the STOP Underage Drinking Act, legislation spurred by the NAS report, with MADD's support.

MADD receives the Haddon Award from the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety.

MADD is honored with the Charity of the Year Award by the DMA Nonprofit Federation.

The Protecting You/Protecting Me curriculum is culturally tailored for Native American communities and students, a first for the organization.

The new national victim services hotline-1-877-MADD-HELP-is launched as a dedicated line for victim support.

MADD enters its 25th anniversary year with the theme of "MADD Celebrates Life."

MADD releases its Law Enforcement Leadership Summit Report outlining the importance for increased enforcement including sobriety checkpoints to stop drunk driving.

The organization's best kept secret-free victim services-is revealed through a national victim services public awareness campaign including public service announcements, billboards and literature.

MADD launches its newest multimedia school assembly show, Backstage Pass , sponsored by Daimler Chrysler and its Road Ready Teens program. 

To encourage underage drinking prevention during prom season, MADD and The Chrysler Group kick off a 21-city tour with 21 mini-vans in April in Washington, D.C., ending in Sacramento, Calif., in May.

In June, MADD announces Glynn Birch as its first-ever male national president in the organization's 25 year history.

MADD kicks off it's 25th anniversary public awareness campaign, "Celebrating Lives Like Yours" sponsored by State Farm, with a colorful poster and message that one of the more than 300,000 lives MADD has helped save since it's founding may be your own.

MADD commemorates the 21st anniversary of the 21 Minimum Drinking Age Law with a 21-city "National Night of Compliance" led by MADD's Youth In Action teams and law enforcement who conduced alcohol retailers stings to limit alcohol access to youth