37% of traffic deaths are alcohol-related during 3-day weekend
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) urges everyone to designate a non-drinking driver if their Memorial Day weekend plans include alcohol. Drunk driving is completely preventable, yet claimed 149 lives from 6 p.m. Friday to 5:59 a.m. Monday during the 2017 Memorial Day weekend.
Drunk driving is the leading killer on our nation’s roads, claiming almost 11,000 lives in 2017. In addition, law enforcement reports an increase in drivers with both alcohol and drugs in their system — a deadly combination.
“This Memorial Day weekend, as we honor our nation’s heroes who sacrificed their lives to save ours, please remember to keep yourselves and those around you safe by choosing a non-drinking driver to get you to and from your destination,” said MADD National President Helen Witty. “Enjoy the backyard barbecues, opening of swimming pools, baseball games and all the traditions of this weekend. Just make sure you choose one of the many options, a non-drinking friend, rideshare, taxi or public transportation, if alcohol is included in your activities.”
Memorial Day weekend is an unofficial kickoff to summer, with school years ending and vacations putting more drivers on U.S. roads. With the rising temperatures comes an increase in all traffic deaths including those caused by drunk driving crashes. In 2017, 37 percent of traffic deaths during Memorial Day weekend were caused by drunk driving.
Memorial Day is also the start of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Click it or Ticket campaign. Law enforcement will be out checking to make sure motorists are buckled. MADD reminds everyone to wear their seatbelts because this remains a great defense against drunk drivers.
Drunk driving deaths are 100 percent preventable, 100 percent of the time. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving is helping create a future with No More Victims®. The campaign includes advocacy for stronger drunk driving laws including ignition interlocks for all offenders; support for high-visibility law enforcement; support for advanced vehicle technologies and public support for these initiatives.
MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP or call 877-ASK-MADD
