MADD Anticipates Surge in Impaired Driving and Boating
Fatalities During Independence Day Celebrations
IRVING,
Texas, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The 4th
of July consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous holidays on
our nation's roads and waterways due to alcohol-related crashes.
This Independence Day, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) urges
everyone to plan ahead for a safe ride home. When you are deciding
where to celebrate, also decide how you are going to get home
safely, whether that's by choosing a rideshare, designating a sober
driver, or using public transportation.
"4th of July should be a time for
barbecues, fireworks and parades, but all too often these
celebrations turn into senseless tragedies, due to impaired driving
and boating. If you plan to drink, do not drive." - MADD CEO
Stacey D. Stewart
4th of July festivities often lead to a dramatic rise in fatal
impaired driving and boating crashes. In 2022, 487 lives were
senselessly lost due to drunk driving over the 4th of July holiday
period, according to the latest data from the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System
(FARS). In addition, alcohol was the leading factor in fatal
boating crashes in 2022, causing 88 deaths, or 16% of all
fatalities, and 148 reported injuries, according to the U.S. Coast
Guard.
"4th of July should be a time for barbecues, fireworks and
parades, but all too often these celebrations turn into senseless
tragedies, due to impaired driving and boating," said MADD CEO
Stacey D. Stewart. "MADD looks
forward to the day when every new vehicle contains passive impaired
driving prevention technology, as required by The HALT Act, to put
an end to this crime. But until that day comes, our message is
simple: If you plan to drink, do not drive."
Driving any vehicle while impaired is illegal, including cars,
boats, jet skis, ATVs/UTVs, and other recreational vehicles. For
those celebrating the 4th of July on a boat, refrain from drinking
until you're safely ashore. Alcohol can be even more hazardous on
the water than on land. Boaters are likely to become impaired
faster than automobile drivers, and even moderate drinking can
cause significant impairment.
Independence Day celebrations also result in an uptick in teen
driving deaths. That's why the period of time between Memorial Day
and Labor Day is nicknamed the "100 Deadly Days." Parents should
have open and honest conversations with their children about the
risks of underage drinking and the importance of making responsible
choices. MADD's Power of Parents Handbook is a proven resource for
parents, offering strategies to safeguard their children against
underage drinking and impaired driving.
While impaired driving crashes increase over the 4th of July
weekend, this public health crisis plagues the nation year-round.
For the second consecutive year, drunk driving claimed more than
13,000 lives, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA). Since 2019, drunk driving deaths have
surged by 33%. In 2022, alcohol-related crashes accounted for 32%
of all traffic deaths, up from 31% in 2021.
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nonprofit leader in a
movement to create a world where there are #NoMoreVictims of
impaired driving. By working in collaboration with law enforcement
to end underage drinking and all drunk and drugged driving, MADD
has helped reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50%, saving
more than 400,000 lives. The organization is a vocal advocate for
stricter sentencing, new laws, and new technology, including
implementing the HALT Drunk Driving Act. MADD also has provided
supportive services to nearly one million victims of drunk and
drugged driving at no charge through local victim advocates and its
24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. For more information or
to donate, visit us at https://madd.org/ and follow MADD on
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Media Contact
Katie Alvino, Mothers Against
Drunk Driving® (MADD), 877.275.6233,
media@madd.org, https://madd.org/
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SOURCE Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD)