MADD and Nationwide Announce New Survey Data Ahead of PowerTalk 21 Day, April 21st

News provided by

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Apr 18, 2016, 15:00 ET


Dallas, TX (PRWEB) April 18, 2016 -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD), and Power of Parents® program National Presenting Sponsor Nationwide and National Supporting Partner GM Foundation join together to empower parents with the information and tools they need to talk with their kids and teens about the dangers of underage drinking and encourage them to never ride with a drinking driver. New survey data being released today highlights the importance of parents’ actions, in addition to their words, when it comes to influencing their children’s decisions around alcohol and riding with a drinking driver.

“As our children’s biggest influence and role model, it’s our responsibility to Show & Tell. It’s our place to not only talk about positive actions, but to set the example with our own actions,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church, whose 18-year-old son Dustin was killed by an underage drunk and drugged driver. “PowerTalk 21 Day, April 21st, is an opportunity for parents to start these ongoing conversations with their children about alcohol ahead of prom, graduation and summer vacation.”

In advance of PowerTalk 21® Day, April 21st, the national day for parents to begin ongoing conversations with their children about alcohol, a new MADD and Nationwide Survey revealed that 80 percent of parents surveyed have talked with their children about alcohol and 80 percent surveyed have talked with their children about the dangers of riding with a drinking driver. However, the survey indicated that parents might not know their actions play a large role influencing their children. Forty-three percent of parents surveyed said that they’ve had a drink or two at dinner and then driven their children home in the past year. In addition, one in four parents admitted to riding with a drinking driver in the past year.

What parents might not realize, is that by doing so, they might put their kids at an increased risk of riding with a drinking driver. Research from the Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Biobehavior Health found that children are more willing to ride with a drinking driver if they see their parents do so.

“Research shows it’s important for parents to talk with their children about not riding with a drinking driver, and modeling positive behavior can greatly impact their children’s willingness to ride with a drinking driver,” said Robert Turrisi, PhD, professor and researcher at Pennsylvania State University and co-author of MADD’s Power of Parents handbooks.

Studies have shown that parents, not their peers, have the greatest influence over their kids’ decisions about alcohol. National Presenting Sponsor Nationwide through its support of MADD’s Power of Parents program, hopes to empower parents with this information and provide them with the tools they need to make the most of their influence.

“Nationwide is passionate about keeping families safe, and our partnership with MADD is a crucial part of preventing teen alcohol deaths, and teen deaths while riding with a driver who has been drinking,” said Bill Windsor, Nationwide Associate Vice President of Consumer Safety and Immediate Past MADD National Board Chair. “Together, MADD and Nationwide are empowering parents with the information and tools they need to keep their children safe.”

PowerTalk 21 is launching at a crucial time, when many teens will soon be attending celebratory events like prom and graduation parties where they may encounter opportunities or peer pressure to drink or ride with a drinking driver. Nationally in 2014, 354 youth passengers were killed while riding with a drinking driver according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Events and workshops will take place across the country during the month of April, with the national PowerTalk 21 event taking place in Dallas, Texas on April 21st at Dallas City Hall.

PowerTalk 21 is a part of MADD’s Power of Parents program to help parents feel confident to have intentional conversations about these sometimes hard-to–talk-about issues. Parents can download Power of Parents handbooks for parents of middle school and high school students, and sign up for a free 15-minute or 30-minute online workshop in English or Spanish at madd.org/powertalk21. New in 2016, parents can download the Power of Parents Pocket Guide for a quick overview of the Power of Parents handbooks. When parents sign up for an online workshop, take an interactive quiz online, or download a handbook, they’ll be entered for a chance to win an Amazon Echo, Kindle Fire HD or one of two $50 gift cards.

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 changed American culture by introducing the “designated driver” in 1986 and related red ribbon awareness campaign Tie One On For Safety® now in its 30th year. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® is marking its 10th anniversary and reducing drunk driving fatalities by 25 percent since its launch. MADD supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, providing a service every four minutes through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Power of Parents® and Power of Youth® programs reduce underage drinking. Learn more by visiting madd.org or calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 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 a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, commercial, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; banking and mortgages; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit http://www.nationwide.com.

Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side, Join the Nation and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

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Heather Wedel, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, http://madd.org, +1 469-420-4544, [email protected]