MADD in DC for National Conference

MADD ConferenceThe non-profit organization MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is in Washington D.C. for their National Conference this week. Over 300 drunk driving crash victims, survivors, volunteers and supporters are taking part in legislative meetings in an attempt to convince Congress to act on two issues:

  • Full funding for priority highway safety programs
  • Passage of a Constitutional Amendment providing for crime victims’ right

MADD is urging Congress to include the full $265 million in annual funding to implement the new federal surface transportation legislation known as MAP-21, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. MADD believes full-funding of this program is imperative to drunk driving prevention, occupant protection, distracted driving protection, motorcycle safety, improved graduate driver’s license laws and data collection, all which is needed to save lives and prevent injuries on the road by drunk drivers.

The organization is concerned that inaction of fully funding the program will force states to make even more difficult choices regarding exactly how to fund long-term traffic safety projects. MADD National President Jan Withers said, “The lack of funding for key highway safety programs is not only problematic for states’ budgets, but the American people will end up paying a much higher price through deaths and injuries. Efforts aimed at impaired driving prevention, along with other safety measures for teen drivers, vehicle passengers, and motorcycle riders should not be an afterthought.”

MADD would like Congress to also pass a Constitutional amendment to protect crime victims’ rights, which are currently only protected by statutes in the state.