MADD Fights Holiday Drunk Driving

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration.

The number of travelers on the roads rises during the holidays as friends and family gather to celebrate.

Unfortunately, so too does the risk of being hurt in a drunk driving accident.

DUI arrests are at their highest between Thanksgiving and the end of New Year’s weekend.

Thanksgiving Eve is even referred to as “Black Wednesday,” as it may be the busiest night of the year for bars.

An NHTSA study during 2001 – 2005 found that drunk driving causes about 40 percent of all fatalities during the Christmas and New Year holiday periods.

MADD’s longest-running public awareness campaign, Tie One On for Safety®, aims to combat the serious problem of drunk driving during the holidays.

The name comes from the phrase “tie one on,” which is slang for drinking alcohol.

Every year from November 1 through December 31, MADD asks drivers to “tie one on” by displaying a MADD red ribbon in a visible location to remind everyone to always designate a non-drinking driver.

Here are some ways you can participate in Tie One On for Safety:

• Always designate a non-drinking driver before the celebration begins to ensure everyone arrives home safely.
• Display a MADD ribbon in a visible location on your vehicle or distribute Tie One On for Safety ribbons at your party, available at your local MADD office.
• Ask your guests to donate to MADD instead of bringing a hostess gift.
• Host your parties responsibly by offering mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages, and by providing alternate transportation or accommodations for guests who have been drinking.
• Share your support on Facebook.