More than 3,000 participants showed their support for MADD North Texas at our 6^th annual Walk Like MADD in Uptown Dallas on April 25, 2009, which was locally presented by GEICO.  Rebecca Miller, from The 33 News, showed her support by emceeing the event. 

 There was food, fun and entertainment for people of all ages; Kids were able to enjoy face painters, balloon artists, games and cotton candy while the Teen Scene hosted a lyric contest, Wii competitions, and dancing.  Victims and their families were able to offer support for each other in the Victims Survivors area and many teams wore shirts in honor of a loved one who has been injured or killed by drunk driving.  Even dogs were able to enjoy the day at the Pooch Parlor.  The Health and Safety Fair provided participants with useful information and fun, such as free massages, giveaways and interlock demonstrations. To pay tribute to drunk driving victims, 1,300 pairs of shoes were displayed to represent the number of lives lost in Texas due to drunk driving in 2007. Texas leads the nation in drunk driving fatalities and almost 25% of those deaths occurred in North Texas.    

While participants remembered those lives lost, they also had a chance to celebrate their fundraising success, which will help MADD North Texas continue to support victims and educate the youth, all at no-cost.The drum line and cheerleading squad from South Oak Cliff High School kicked off the 5k walk with their cheers and beats that could be heard all around the neighborhood.  Walkers were able to enjoy a relaxing walk through the Uptown area, where many cars and people were able to see and hear the supporters of MADD!   Along the route, they were greeted with water, food and cheers from The Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation, Greenz and Hillcrest Bank.

Thanks to the hard work of all, MADD North Texas raised over $135,000 to help support our efforts to eliminate drunk driving.  Next year, we look forward to adding a second walk in Fort Worth, which will allow more people from all 31 counties we serve to participate in the walk itself.  

Lights, sirens, and walking….

That’s what was happing in Houston, TX on April 4^th. Houston held its fourth annual Walk Like MADD at MacGregor park. 

More than 400 walkers came out to Walk Like MADD and to help in keeping our communities safe. Deborah Duncan kicked off the event; along with the Houston Aeros dance team, the Aerosdynamics, and their mascot Chili.  The walk was started with a police helicopter buzz by. 

Demonstrations of alcohol ignition interlock took place before and after the event; along with many booths participating in the health and safety fair.   There were police vehicles lined up for walkers to see inside the vehicles, and to play with the sirens and lights. Roxy and Shadow showed off their skills in the K-9 demonstration, and the BAT Mobil was there to explore.    It was a nice day, and the park atmosphere was great for the participants. 

On Saturday, I participated along with 3,000 other walkers, in the Dallas Walk Like MADD event.

While sporting my new 2009 WLM T-shirt around town after the event, several people asked me, “What does ‘one in three’ mean?” 

“I’m glad you asked,” I said.  “Did you know that one in three individuals will be involved in an alcohol related crash at some point in their lifetime?” 

What a shocking statistic! 

When you wear your official 2009 WLM t-shirt, remember that it is an opportunity to start a conversation about drunk driving and share that it is not a crime that only impacts other people.  We are all at risk but there is a solution…

MADD knows how to eradicate drunk driving in America within our lifetime.  The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving calls for a breath alcohol ignition interlock on all first-time convicted offenders. 

An interlock devise can prevent a vehicle from being driven by a convicted drunk driver.  It stops offenders in their tracks.  They simply cannot start their car.

Interlocks are effective.  There are over 20 high quality studies on the effectiveness of interlocks on first-time and repeat offenders.  All show decreases of 50 to 90 percent in repeat offenses when the interlock is on the vehicle. 

For more information about interlocks, visit madd.org at http://www.madd.org/Drunk-Driving/Drunk-Driving/Campaign-to-Eliminate-Drunk-Driving/Ignition-Interlocks.aspx

The smell of salt water and the sounds of the beach were in the air on May 10 at the Orange County, California Walk Like MADD 5K walk where over $113,000 was raised to support MADD and its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

More than 500 people came out to Huntington Beach, “Surf City USA” to enjoy a walk along the beach and support MADD. The day’s festivities kicked off with a pre-walk ceremony featuring remarks from California Assemblyman, Todd Spitzer, Orange Mayor, Carolyn Cavecche and Huntington Beach Councilman Gil Coerper. In addition to speaking, Cavecche presented a $1,000 check to MADD.

Demonstrations of an alcohol ignition interlock took place before and after the walk as well as tours of police SWAT vehicles and a demonstration by the Huntington Beach Fire Department of a Jaws of Life rescue.

MADD is actively supporting legislation currently being considered in the California State Assembly, AB 2784 sponsored by Assembly Member Mike Feuer, that would require all convicted drunk drivers, including those convicted for the first time, to install an alcohol ignition interlock on their vehicle.

Mark your calendar for the 2009 Orange County Walk Like MADD on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Huntington City Beach.

On Saturday, April 26, MADD executives and an estimated 1,500 supporters will be on hand for Walk Like MADD held at the Phoenix Zoo, which is showing its support by providing free zoo admission to all walk participants.

Phoenix retailer, Twist Boutique, is also supporting the event and raising awareness by dressing window mannequins in Walk Like MADD t-shirts.  Twist Boutique will also donate 10% of purchases by customers who present a special Walk Like MADD e-mail at the time of purchase.

Visit the Phoenix Walk Like MADD site for more details and to sign up or donate.

MADD recently asked resident of Raleigh, NC about their thoughts on drunk driving, and we’ve have just posted a video on YouTube with some of their comments.  By the way, Raleigh’s Walk Like MADD fundraising walk takes place on Saturday, March 29, so if you live in that area and want to get involved, you can sign up here.