MADD

Credit for picture: www.madd.org

At about 5 p.m., Julia ran her minivan into an oncoming car, when her impaired vision kept her from realizing she was drifting into oncoming traffic. She died in the crash, taking her daughter, 3 nieces and 3 men in the car, with her. She was found to have a blood alcohol level 0.11% above the legal limit and traces of marijuana in her body. They also found 6 grams of alcohol that was yet to be digested.

The worlds of the families of these people were torn apart in one fell swoop. Her drinking caused the death of 7 people, when every person could have walked away unharmed, saving those left behind from the grief and torment that come from this and similar accidents.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a nonprofit organization actively campaigning against drinking and driving. The organization was founded by a mother who lost her daughter to drunk driving. Her heartache drove her to create an organization to protect other families from experiencing the same pain. MADD was the result.

MADD actively works for 2 major goals:

1)      MADD wants to discourage drunk driving. They campaign against the act, not the people. The website (hyperlink http://www.madd.org/) contains helpful information regarding their current fight against drunk driving and underage drinking.

2)      MADD recognizes that while changes are being made, people continue to drive drunk, creating new victims every day. MADD offers victim services to those who suffer from other people’s choices. MADD can help you find support by offering victims someone to call for support. Representatives are available 24 hours a day at 844.MADD.HELP. They can help victims understand what their rights are. They also like to honor those killed or injured with tributes. If you or a loved one is a victim of drunk driving, visit the Victim Services Page (hyperlink http://www.madd.org/victim-services/).

Mothers Against Drunk Driving is making headway and they would love your support. Every drunk driving incident is avoidable. You can make a real difference in people’s lives. With MADD, you can work to save families the pain and suffering that comes from it.

The name of the driver has been changed to protect the identity and family of the driver.