‘We aren’t giving up:’ MADD Washington brings hope to families of drunk driving victims
Sep 5, 2024, 2:46 PM
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has been a cornerstone in the fight against impaired driving since its inception in 1980. Founded by a mother who tragically lost her daughter to a drunk driver, MADD has grown into a powerful national organization with a presence in every state, as well as in Canada and Puerto Rico.
MADD was at the forefront of legislation to raise the drinking age in the 80s, along with lowering the blood alcohol level from 0.10 nationally to 0.08, according to MADD Regional Executive Director Dennis Maughan.
In Washington, the nonprofit provides support to families, cultivates awareness of impaired driving and works to stop increasing traffic fatalities, which Maughan said were preventable.
“If you’ve ever lost somebody that was there just a few minutes ago and now they’re dead because of somebody’s horrible choice that they made, it’s a horrible loss,” Maughan told MyNorthwest on Thursday. “It never leaves you.”
Washington sees 410 deaths caused by impaired driving in 2023
According to Maughan, Washington saw 410 deaths last year caused by impaired driving — a 24% increase on top of a 36% increase the year before.
“If we lost an airplane today that had 410 people crashed in our state, we would be appalled,” he said. “We would say, ‘Oh my gosh, we’ve got to do something about this right away,’ but because it only happens every 37 minutes, we don’t know this, and unfortunately, people don’t start paying attention until they’ve been personally affected.”
Maughan said those types of numbers haven’t been seen since 1991. Officers are seeing more speeding, road rage and fewer people wearing seatbelts, he added, which goes hand-in-hand with impaired driving. Maughan said alcohol is still the number one drug of choice but MADD is seeing it mixed with other drugs such as fentanyl and cannabis.
However, even though drivers seem to be getting worse MADD isn’t backing down.
“We aren’t giving up,” Maughan said. “We’re in this for the long haul.”
MADD doesn’t advocate abstinence from alcohol but asks people to have a plan before they go out and have a couple of drinks. Maughan noted having a designated driver and rideshare are easy ways to get home safely and that some bar owners will even pay for a customer’s ride home.
Other than awareness, MADD works with families who have experienced a death due to impaired driving. Maughan used the example of one family who needed help with the judicial system after their son was killed by a drunk driver.
“They had never, ever thought, now I am going to court and I’m testifying, and I’m talking about my son,” he shared. “Through MADD we provide victim service to someone to actually be with them in court, to help them try to navigate all that emotional part.”
MADD also works closely with law enforcement to provide victim-impact panels for people who have offended. The nonprofit recognizes officers who focus on stopping DUIS. Maughan added MADD also works with the legislature to strengthen and change laws.
However, all of these services take money and volunteers, especially MADD’s underage drinking prevention program. Therefore, the nonprofit puts on different community events to raise funds to support those programs.
MADD Washington puts on 5K in Seattle to bring families together
In Seattle, a special activity is 2024 Walk Like MADD Washington State. With the help of Davis Law Group, for years MADD has been able to put on a 5K in the King County community.
This year, the 5K will be September 22 at 9 a.m. in Magnuson Park at 7400 Sand Point Way Northeast in Seattle.
“It’s more of a stroll, although we do get people that are competitive, of course, but we we focus on victims, families, those that have been affected by having loss of of a loved one or a friend come and they feel supported,” Maughan said. “Sometimes they’ve victims. Often feel like they’re the only ones. This allows people to come together collectively and share in you know that support.”
Maughan added that while the event sounds sad, it’s more of a celebration.
“It sounds very somber, but it isn’t,” he said. “It’s also a celebration of the things that we’re doing that are we are trying to turn this tide.”
To register for the walk, visit Walk Like MADD’s website.
MADD is always looking for volunteers, which the nonprofit trains, and financial support. To learn more about volunteering, go here, or contact Dennis Maughan. To make a donation, go here.
