What is MADD?

Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, grass roots organization with more than 400 chapters nationwide. MADD is not a crusade against alcohol consumption. Our focus is to look for effective solutions to the drunk driving and underage drinking problems, while supporting those who have already experienced the pain of these senseless crimes.

Click for MADD's Strategic Plan: 2002-2005

Memberships and Chapters

Crash vs. Accident?

Those injured and killed in drunk driving collisions are not "accident" victims. The crash caused by an impaired driver involves two choices: to drink AND drive. The deaths and injuries caused each year by impaired driving can be prevented... and they are not "accidental."

Public Awareness

Community programs such as the Project Red Ribbon "Tie One On For Safety" campaign, and the Designated Driver program heighten awareness to the dangers of impaired driving. Operation Prom/Graduation, MADD's Poster/Essay Contest, Team Spirit, and Teen court are among MADD's youth programs designed to address underage drinking. MADD volunteers recruit media support and offer Speakers Bureaus for civic groups and schools. MADD in Action, MADD's national newsletter, is sent to members and supporters to inform them about the drunk driving issues being addressed. Many state and local newsletters are also produced.

Victim Services

Bereaved families and injured victims of drunk driving crashes may call MADD's Victim Hotline, 800-GET-MADD, where trained staff will provide immediate emotional support and guidance through the criminal justice system. MADD will direct victims to their nearest local chapter for one-to-one assistance. Many chapters offer victim support groups. MADD offers a range of victim support literature provided free to victims and their families. The MADD advocate is a magazine produced twice a year for drunk driving victims and advocates. Candlelight vigils are held annually nationwide to allow victims to share their pain and grief with to hers who have suffered due to drunk driving.

Progress and Accomplishments

Since 1980, more than 1,600 anti-drunk driving laws have been enacted nationwide. MADD played a leading role in the enactment of the Age 21 Law. All states have adopted 21 as the standard legal drinking age and thousands of lives have been saved as a result.  If you've ever wondered why 21 was set as the legal drinking age, read "Why 21" to learn about the real world facts.

Thanks to the efforts of MADD activists and other traffic safety groups, two-thirds of the states have now passed Administrative Licenses Revocation laws, which allow the arresting officer to take the driver's license of those who fail or refuse to take a breath test. Several states have now lowered the legal blood alcohol content limit from .10 to .08 percent for adults, and more than a dozen states have passed "Zero Tolerance" laws which prohibit those under 21 from having any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood system.

Judges in more than 200 counties across the U.S. are now assigning drunk driving offenders to attend MADD-operated Victim Impact Panels. A panel is composed of crash victims and survivors who tell offenders how drunk driving has affected their lives.

MADD volunteers are watching court cases involving drunk driving offenders and are reporting the outcome of cases to the media and members of the community to ensure that drunk driving offenders will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. An instructional video on Court Monitoring has been produced and distributed to MADD chapters nationwide.

Victim Advocacy Training is offered by MADD so its chapters can provide a full range of victim support services to the people in their communities who have been victimized by drunk driving.