Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) Massachusetts along with local sponsor Skedaddle, are ready to kick off a safe 2018 holiday season. Drivers can show their commitment to designating a non-drinking and non-drug-using driver and support of law enforcement’s efforts to protect the roads by displaying a MADD Tie One On for Safety red ribbon or decal on their vehicles available at the local MADD offices.
“The greatest gift all of us could give or receive is safe roads, free of impaired driving, so that everyone can be home for the holidays,” said Mary Kate DePamphilis, MADD Massachusetts. “Everyone can help keep our holiday season joyous by always planning ahead to designate a non-drinking and non-drug-using driver. I don’t want to receive those tragic calls after Thanksgiving from family members who have lost a loved one in an impaired driving crash — it’s heartbreaking.”
This year, the message of driving sober is more important than ever. With recreational marijuana “pot shops” granted licenses last month and shops to open any day now — we need to get the message out about impaired driving. If you’re using marijuana — you are impaired and should not drive. The same messaging regarding alcohol and driving applies to marijuana and driving. Please use responsibly and designate a non-using driver.
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 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve through New Year’s Eve in 2017, there were 1,143 drunk driving fatalities across the country, accounting for 29 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Over the past five years, drunk driving fatalities have increased by 35 percent nationwide.
Last year, 120 people died in Massachusetts due to drunk driving crashes.
In 1986, MADD began promoting the designated driver and its longest-running annual public awareness red ribbon campaign, Tie One On for Safety. With so many options today such as Uber, taxis, public transportation and alcohol-free and drug-free friends or family members, there is no excuse to drink and drive. MADD thanks all law enforcement personnel who will be working harder than ever this holiday season to protect the public from drunk driving through the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement efforts.
To get your Tie One On for Safety red ribbons for yourself, your community businesses or events, please call 781-328-0002 x.2552. For safe party tips, visit madd.org/toofs.
MADD’s local Tie One On for Safety sponsor, Skedaddle provides safe bus rides for groups of people going to different events and recreational destinations throughout the state. For more info log on to www.letsskedaddle.com.
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 nearly 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.
