Mothers Against Drunk Driving has started its annual campaign to kick off a safe 2022 holiday season and celebrate 35 years of the designated driver.
MADD encourages everyone to show their commitment to keeping themselves and our communities safe by displaying a MADD “Tie One On for Safety” red ribbon or magnetic decal on their vehicles and by always choosing a non-drinking, unimpaired driver, according to a news release from the group. To learn more about Tie One On for Safety and pick up your red ribbon, stop by the MADD New Mexico office at 3411 Candelaria Road NE, Suite B, Albuquerque, or visit madd.org/NM to learn more.
MADD is also partnering with Cumulus Media to provide free Uber ride codes during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The “Take A Ride On Us” program is a joint effort with Cumulus, Bernalillo County, Sandoval County, NMDOT/endwi, MADD New Mexico and Whitener Law Firm. Promotional codes will be announced on Cumulus Media’s radio stations, as well as across social media platforms.
Interested riders may receive $10 off a ride during the holiday season.
“Whether you’re going out to holiday festivities or hosting a party, always remember your designated driver,” said Katrina Latka, MADD New Mexico Affiliate executive director. “Everyone can help keep our holiday season joyous by planning ahead when celebrations include alcohol. Take personal responsibility for your travel by choosing a non-drinking, unimpaired driver and remember to include non-alcoholic options for the designated drivers who are guests in your home.”
The holidays are among the most dangerous times on our nation’s roadways, with more people traveling, an increased number of events where alcohol is served and a surge in drunken driving.
Between 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve through New Year’s Eve in 2020, 1,133 lives were lost to drunken driving across the country, accounting for 30 percent of all traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition, a new study by NHTSA shows an alarming 7 percent increase in alcohol-related crashes in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 2021.
“With so many options today such as Uber and Lyft, taxis and public transportation, there is no excuse to drive while impaired alcohol or other drugs,” said Latka.
To learn more about how to safely host party guests this holiday season, click here.
Since 1986, MADD has helped to make “designated driver” a household name through its longest-running annual public awareness campaign, Tie One On for Safety. This red ribbon campaign happens annually during November and December.
December is also National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a designation proclaimed by every U.S. president since 1981.
“MADD thanks all law enforcement officers who will be working harder than ever this holiday season to protect the public from drunken driving through increased patrols and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement efforts,” according to the news release. “MADD appreciates their enforcement through high-visibility checkpoints and saturation patrols to keep our roadways safe.”
