11/16/2016
Contact Information
WHAT: In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) annual red ribbon Tie One On For Safety® campaign, MADD Tennessee, along with Nationwide Insurance and victims of impaired driving, will host a Memorial Sign unveiling on November 16 to remember those affected by impaired driving and to kick off a safe 2016 holiday season.
MADD is reminding all Tennessee drivers – this holiday season and always – to plan ahead for a safe ride if their festivities include alcohol. MADD, together with National Presenting Sponsor Nationwide, are launching the annual campaign, asking adults to display a red ribbon on their vehicles as a reminder to plan ahead for a designated non-drinking driver before holiday celebrations begin. In June of 2015, an underage impaired driver killed Stacy Thornton and paralyzed her then 10-month old baby, Maddie Belt. An “Impaired Driving Cost Innocent Lives” sign will be unveiled in memory of Stacy and in honor of Maddie, who is currently hospitalized due to complications from her life threatening injuries.
WHEN: 10:00am, Wednesday November 16, 2016
WHERE: 6234 Clarksville Hwy Joelton, TN 37080
WHO: The following people will be in attendance:
- Kate Ritchie, State Program Director, Mothers Against Drunk Driving
- Katie Cameron, State Victim Services Specialist, Mothers Against Drunk Driving
- Rebecca Thornton Ervin, victim of a drunk driving crash
- Senator Kerry Roberts, sponsor of Memorial Highway Signs
- Nationwide Agent- National Sponsor of “Tie One On for Safety”
WHY: The holidays are one of the most dangerous times on our nation’s roadways, with more people traveling, an increased number of festivities where alcohol is served, and a surge in drunk driving. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve in 2015, there were 973 drunk driving fatalities across the country. In Tennessee, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve 2015 there were 47 fatalities and 590 injuries caused by impaired (drunk and/or drugged) drivers. Source: TN Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security, TITAN Division. (FARS SharePoint Service, TITAN) For information on Tie One On For Safety, visit madd.org/toofs.
# # #
