Most People Have Witnessed Someone Try to Drive After Drinking, According to MADD Survey
Dallas (PRWEB) November 12, 2013 -- According to a new national survey by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 73 percent of adults (21 and older) surveyed said they “have been at an event and seen someone try to drive home after drinking too much.” As we approach the holiday season, a time when people may be celebrating at events where alcohol is served, MADD urges adults to plan ahead for a non-drinking designated driver, especially since drunk driving deaths typically spike over the holidays. In fact, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve in 2011*, 931 people were killed in drunk driving crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“The safest choice is to always designate a non-drinking driver before you leave home,” said MADD National President Jan Withers. “But if you see someone trying to drive after drinking, step in and offer to help them get home safely.”
MADD’s Tie One On For Safety red ribbon campaign, now in its 27th year, is the organization’s signature public awareness program and is sponsored by National Presenting Sponsor Nationwide Insurance. Drivers across the country display MADD red ribbons on their vehicles as a reminder to plan ahead and designate a non-drinking driver.
“Nationwide is proud to support MADD’s Tie One On For Safety campaign as a way to help protect families from the devastation of a drunk driving crash,” said Bill Windsor, Nationwide Insurance Associate Vice President of Consumer Safety. “We encourage drivers to put a red ribbon on their cars as a reminder to not drink and drive during the holidays and year-round.”
The red ribbons also signify support for law enforcement officers, who will be out in force as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving includes support for these types of high-visibility law enforcement efforts, along with support for requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, and for research into technology that could prevent a drunk driver from operating the vehicle.
Another way MADD is spreading the Tie One On For Safety message this holiday season is through a collaboration with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports team. NASCAR driver Regan Smith, part of the JR Motorsports team, is featured in a new video promoting the idea of planning ahead for a non-drinking designated driver, while standing in front of a race vehicle with “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” on the hood and “Drive Sober, Arrive Alive” on the side, courtesy of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.
To get a MADD red ribbon or for more information about Tie One On For Safety, visit http://www.madd.org/toofs.
*2011 is the most recent year for which there is data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end this danger on America’s roads. PowerTalk 21® is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of Power of Parents® to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every 8.6 minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. Learn more at http://www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.
About Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and specialty health services. For more information, visit http://www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide, the Nationwide frame mark, and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
Anna Duerr, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, http://www.madd.org, 877-275-6233, [email protected]
Share this article