Just about everyone knows that MADD stands for the non-profit organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Most people know, too, that it is just mothers that join this group to find support and raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. However, more often than not, it is only the people who have directly suffered emotional and physical injury from drunk driving that truly understand the mission behind MADD.
Founded by a California mother who lost her 13 year old daughter at the hands of a drunk driver, MADD has been around since 1980. In their own words, MADD strives to “stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.” Though started as specifically against and woMadd Statistics 2012rking to prevent drunk driving, MADD has become more and more anti-alcohol in general than it was in the beginning.
The organization emphasizes the importance of education and much of their work is directed towards informing people of all ages of the dangers of drunk driving. Though most people would agree that they personally would never drive drunk, the reality is that plenty of people do end up behind the wheel when they’ve had a few.
MADD also strives to support victims of drunk driving. This includes people who have been injured in accidents involving a drunk driver as well as the families of people who have been killed in these accidents. The organization both advocates for these victims as well as provides support for them. In many accidents, a drunk driver will hit another car and kill or injure someone inside. However, it is also very common for someone in the drunk driver’s own car to be injured or killed during the accident. These people are victims just like the rest even though they were in the car that caused the problem.
**Beyond Victim Advocacy**
Another side of MADD is the political work they do to enforce lower blood alcohol content levels for drivers and other ways of reducing the number of people getting behind the wheel of their car while inebriated. Though MADD wants all drunk drivers to pay for their dangerous decisions, the organization also supports alcohol treatment rehab for people who have been charged with drunk driving. In the long run, this sort of support helps people who once were drunk drivers find a life outside of alcohol, thus reducing the number of people on the road who are drinking.
To keep track of how their work is going, MADD gathers and releases interesting and informative study results. The 2012 MADD statistics include the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s finding that the type of a drink a person chooses does not automatically determine how impaired they will be once behind the wheel of the car. Instead, it is the amount of alcohol that is telling.
If you or someone you have love has been injured or killed in a drunk driving accident, there is hope for you. 2012 MADD statistics can inform you, the organization in general can support you and, to get legal help, you can contact call the professional, helpful lawyers at 404-577-8111. If the web is easier for you, check out http://www.hertz-law.com/.