This year marks the 30th anniversary of the MADD “Tie One On for Safety” campaign. This public awareness campaign focuses on the importance of preventing drunk driving during the holiday season.
Thousands of innocent lives are tragically lost every year due to drunk drivers. Sadly, the holiday season is no exception. The rate of impaired driving increases greatly between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. The U.S National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reported that 40% of all traffic-related deaths during Christmas and New Year’s Eve involved drunk drivers.
If you are placed in a situation this holiday season where a friend, family member, or even a stranger is trying to get behind the wheel after a few too many drinks, MADD provides the following tips to help prevent a dangerous situation:
- Suggest an alternative. Recommend the person call a cab, ride with a sober driver or take public transportation.
- Have a buddy by your side. It’s more difficult to say “no” to two or three people versus one person.
- Take the power away. The best way to prevent an impaired person from driving is taking their keys – this gives you leverage and makes it easier to persuade them against driving while under the influence.
- Be conscious of how you sound. Remember this person is intoxicated – talk slowly and in a non-confrontational tone. Explain your reasoning in full detail.
Drunk driving is a serious public safety issue, but if we work together, we can help put an end to these preventable accidents during this holiday season.
To show your support for the “Tie One On for Safety” campaign, please order a MADD red ribbon through your local MADD affiliate to display on your car. This ribbon will serve as a reminder to other motorists to always practice safe and sober driving all year round.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, call The Yost Legal Group immediately at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential consultation.
The attorneys at Yost Legal Group are experienced professionals ready to investigate your claim with compassion and determination. When you call, one of our experienced Baltimore Car Accident attorneys will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you and fight hard to protect your rights.
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