Date: September 10, 2010
To: English 1311 students
From: Yvette O. Pedroza
RE: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
What would you do if a loved one died because of a drunk driver? In the year of 2008 alone, there were over 11,000 deaths reported due to drunk drivers. Drunk driving is still the biggest threat to the American family. Drunk driving is a big problem to everyone in society, and it is great that Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD) is there to help. They provide emotional support to victims and survivors of a drunk driver. They provide information and stories to the public so that they may know the tragedies drunk drivers have caused thus far. MADD is also in the business of slowly stopping drunk drivers from a second DUI offense.
MADD is an agency that is geared to make more people aware of the dangers of drunk driving, and to one day prevent it. Initially this organization was made up by victims and survivors who had been affected by a drunk driver. Not only do these people want to make the public aware, but they want to help anyone who has gone through the same tragedy. The advantage of this agency is that they are real people that can testify that this type of thing can happen to just about anyone out on the road. Because it is hard to profile a drunk driver, they have such a broad range of people that they have to inform. Also it may be hard to convince those drinkers that think they can hold their alcohol; some people do let their ego get the best of them.
Some of the ways that MADD reaches out to people is over the internet, by phone, email, ads, and commercials. Every single one of these means of communication, are made to help those that are under emotional distress. MADD does know that the loss of a loved one can be difficult to cope with. Victims and survivors may have to deal with post traumatic stress disorder, guilt, denial, and anger. With that said, they also provide information on getting help with medical, legal, and financial recovery. A lot of these services are provided to help friends and family members to pick up the pieces of their lives.
Statistic and news report circulation due to these tragedies, are mainly put out there to make the public eye aware that this is a grand problem, and that it is a serious matter. We know that drinking and driving is dangerous and can harm just about anyone out and about. There are things that society can do to help MADD prevent any further accidents out on the street. There are already 13 states that have enforced ignition interlocks. They have been placed in the cars of DUI first time offenders. These devices are breathalyzers attached to the ignition of a car, allowing the driver to start the car only if he or she can blow an alcohol level under the legal limit. It is said that the use of ignition interlocks can lower of DUI second time offenders by over 60%. The state of Texas has not taken part in this law. If anyone is interested in being part of changing the law for the safety of you and I, you can contact your local legislature a let them know that you would like to take part in having a safer society.
Victims and survivors of drunk driving are not alone. There are several means of communicating with MADD. Awareness of drunk driving is important to everyone because it is still taking the lives of too many family members. Anyone who would love to take part in making a difference can donate to MADD or contact them to become an advocate.
