April has been designated as Alcohol Awareness Month, focusing on the risks associated with alcohol misuse and its effects on individuals and communities. This year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is collaborating with Uber in an unprecedented partnership aimed at reducing DUI-related incidents in the commonwealth.
According to 2022 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 30% of all traffic deaths in the state were attributed to drunk driving. MADD emphasizes the broad impact of this issue, noting that two-thirds of people will experience the effects of impaired driving in their lifetimes.
MADD advocates for a simple solution: “Instead of driving impaired, rely on one of Uber’s seven million designated drivers for a safe journey home.”
Research indicates that ride-sharing services like Uber have decreased alcohol-related crashes by as much as 5.27% across the country. The joint initiative between MADD and Uber integrates decades of advocacy with a practical alternative to drunk driving.
In support of this cause, MADD and Uber are matching donations up to $25,000 throughout April, effectively doubling each contribution towards efforts to prevent impaired driving.
The need for such campaigns is underscored by personal stories, such as that of MADD National Ambassador Bob Nulman. In 1987, Nulman’s son, Dan, was tragically killed in a crash caused by a drunk driver. Dan, then a senior at Trenton State College, was one of five fatalities in a head-on collision on I-95 caused by a 20-year-old impaired driver.
Since the accident, Nulman has been an active member of MADD, striving to prevent similar tragedies. He credits partners like Uber, law enforcement, and even alcohol manufacturers with playing vital roles in promoting safe drinking practices and alternatives.
Nulman expressed his gratitude towards Uber for their financial support and efforts in amplifying MADD’s message through advertisements and public service announcements. While MADD does not advocate for complete abstinence from drinking, Nulman hopes for more responsible behavior concerning alcohol and other substances.
The consequences of impaired driving are not only tragic but also carry severe legal repercussions. In Pennsylvania, the costs associated with a DUI arrest can vary widely but are invariably substantial, starting the moment a driver is stopped by the police.
Looking ahead, Nulman is optimistic about technological solutions like the HALT Act, which mandates new cars to be equipped with passive technology that detects alcohol levels and prevents the car from starting if the driver is impaired. This technology could potentially save 10,000 lives annually.
Nulman concluded, “Imagine 10,000 families spared the agony of loss, 10,000 legal battles avoided—10,000 potential disasters averted through prevention and technology.”
