• Print
• Email

Media Center

Featured Press Release

Featured MADD Statements

MADD Statement Regarding NTSB Recommendations – May 14, 2013
MADD appreciates the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for bringing the American public’s attention to the fact that drinking and driving continues to be a major problem on our highways—killing almost 10,000 people a year—and that additional steps have to be taken to save the unnecessary loss of life and injuries that occur as a result of these crashes. Above all, MADD strongly recommends that the safest course of action is to not drink and drive.

The focus of our advocacy remains on the continued implementation of our Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® (CEDD). It is important to note that the CEDD has been structured to maximize the number of lives saved as quickly as possible and, when fully implemented, is projected to save approximately 8,000 lives a year.

The U.S. Congress adopted the CEDD as national policy when it approved surface transportation reauthorization legislation, known as MAP-21, in 2012. Through the CEDD’s three elements of increased high visibility law enforcement, state laws requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted offenders, and research toward the development of advanced technology to prevent a drunk driver from operating a vehicle, the CEDD is leading the nation toward the elimination of drunk driving as the leading cause of highway fatalities. The CEDD also enjoys widespread support, including that of the NTSB, which in December 2012 recommended that states enact all-offender ignition interlock laws and endorsed advanced drunk driving prevention technology research.

MADD is committed to serving all victims of substance impaired driving, regardless of impairment levels. MADD’s 1-877-MADD-HELP line is available 24 hours a day, and MADD serves a victim of impaired driving every eight minutes. MADD will continue to focus our attention and resources toward the CEDD's proven drunk driving countermeasures, which does not include lowering the BAC per se level, in order to have the greatest impact on saving lives. The goal of the CEDD is to eliminate drunk driving so there are no more future victims.

MADD National Communications

MADD has grown into one of the nation’s most widely respected non-profit organizations, with experts available to media for questions about Drunk Driving, Underage Drinking and Victim Services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are a member of a news or media organization, please contact our media relations desk in the U.S.:
 
By phone:  877.ASK.MADD
By email:  media@madd.org

To receive our news electronically, subscribe to our RSS feed.  

  Follow us        Become a fan        Subscribe to our Press Releases  

Fact Sheets

• Alcohol Ignition Interlock Fact Sheet
  Learn more about these lifesaving devices and how effective they have been in the fight against drunk driving.
• Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving
  In November 2006, MADD launched a major new offensive in the war against drunk driving.  Learn more here.
• Drunk Driving and Enforcement Fact Sheet
  Sobriety checkpoints reduce drunk driving by 20% by detering people from committing the crime.
• Drunk Driving in America
  Alcohol-impaired driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in the U.S. (NHTSA, 2003...
• Emerging Technology Fact Sheet
  MADD, NHTSA, the auto industry and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are forming the Blue...
• Underage Drinking Fact Sheet
  In July 1984, Congress and President Ronald Reagan enacted legislation that set the national minimum...

Biographies

Robert Strassburger, Chair of the Board
Debbie Weir, Chief Executive Officer 
Jan Withers, National President