PHOENIX (November 16, 2018) — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is pleased to announce that Waymo has placed red ribbons on its entire fleet of self-driving cars in Arizona and beyond to alert the public that drunk driving is especially prevalent during the holiday season. The cars were unveiled on Friday, November 16, during a press conference at Waymo’s depot in Chandler, Arizona.
Drunk driving remains the leading killer on U.S. roads, and the risks rise dramatically between the Thanksgiving and New Year’s holidays. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving deaths increased by 35 percent between Thanksgiving Eve and New Year’s Eve from 2013 to 2017. Last year, 1,143 people were killed from 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve through New Year’s Eve.
“With the rising number of tragedies during the Holiday Season, MADD’s annual Tie One On for Safety campaign is more important than ever, and we are proud to partner with Waymo to remind everyone to plan ahead before the festivities begin,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church. “We want everyone to designate a non-drinking driver to get them home safely, and we want to highlight the promise that self-driving vehicles hold for a future of No More Victims of these 100 percent preventable tragedies.”
Waymo’s self-driving cars, adorned with magnetic red ribbons, will serve as a roving reminder on Arizona roads over the next six weeks. Other Tie One One for Safety events will take place across the country in partnership with law enforcement agencies and other safety organizations, who will “tie” a red ribbon on their vehicles or attach a decal or magnetic ribbon.
“Each year, as part of Tie One On for Safety, Mothers Against Drunk Driving asks supporters to add a red ribbon to their cars as a way to remind people to always designate a sober driver. This year, Waymo is proud to join the cause by displaying red ribbons on our entire fleet of self-driving cars through New Years Day,” said Tekedra Mawakana, Chief External Officer for Waymo. “Waymo and MADD share a common mission: to make the roads safer for everyone, every day. Joining the Tie One On for Safety campaign is a symbol of our solidarity with MADD, and a symbol of our hope to be an even bigger part of the solution in the future.”
MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving supports the advancement of autonomous technology to help reach our ultimate goal of No More Victims. Until that time, everyone must take personal responsibility for helping to stop this violent, 100 percent preventable crime by always planning ahead for a designated, non-drinking driver when plans include alcohol.
For information on Tie One On for Safety, visit https://www.madd.org/the-solution/drunk-driving/tie-one-on-for-safety/.
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save 380,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.
Becky Iannotta; [email protected]; 202.600.2032
