MADD Mid-Atlantic Victim Services (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC) are all too well aware of the long-lasting, devastating effects that drunk driving can have on a family. We are always saddened and angered that substance impaired driving crashes are still happening all too frequently. The undeniable fact is that in 2022, there is no excuse for these 100% preventable crashes to still be so prevalent in our area.
MADD wants victims and other concerned citizens in the state of Delaware to know we are here to offer resources and support. All of our services are available at no cost including emotional support within, and apart from, the Criminal Justice system; Peer Support, which are personal links to families/survivors to aid healing; meaningful chances to advance MADD’s powerful grassroots efforts to change laws and advance our mission; civil justice remedies and referrals. MADD is also an important key for victims to be able to honor their loved ones.
On Sunday, April 24, 2022 we are proud to commemorate the 2022 National Crime Victims' Right's Week (April 24 - 30, 2022) with our 2nd Annual Virtual Candlelight Vigil. This year, the memorial theme is Red Poppies, which are an international symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. During the event, we will honor and celebrate the lives of those who have been injured or killed due to drunk and drugged driving on our region’s roadways. We hope this evening ceremony helps secure a future of No More Victims, highlights incredible personal courage and sparks renewal.
We are also excited to launch our first ever Walk Like MADD event on Saturday, May 14, 2022 on the Rehoboth Beach Board Walk. These Walks take place in cities and states across the country and are a way for communities to send a clear message: You and your community have the opportunity to help us put an end to these tragedies once and for all.
Just as important it is for MADD to provide emotional support and resources for survivors, our efforts around prevention and community education are as equally vital. MADD knows that the first time someone is arrested for drunk driving, it is likely not their first time they drove while impaired. Research from the CDC indicates that first-time offenders have driven drunk at least 80 times before they are arrested.
Therefore, it will be essential for everyone to do their part. For example, designate a driver to ensure everyone gets home after any event where alcohol is served. Party hosts should take responsibility for helping their guests arrive home safely by offering fun, non-alcoholic options.
Additionally, MADD continues to support fair and justice law enforcement. Law enforcement crackdowns, which includes sobriety checkpoints, can reduce drunk driving deaths by 20%. MADD knows that strong drunk driving enforcement is one of the strongest deterrents, preventing people from committing the crime.
In 2006, MADD launched the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. As mentioned, part of our prevention work includes legislative advocacy and media outreach.
MADD hopes after reading, you’ll come away remembering the importance of just three (3) numbers. 100 and zero and 1. 100 because the crime of drunk driving is 100% preventable. 0 because the only number that matters to us at MADD is zero: zero deaths, zero injuries, zero families impacted by impaired driving crashes. Lastly the number 1, because one more victim is too many.
