LEAN ON ME...FOR CHANGE the crime that changed their lives forever. Like so many who are part of the MADD family do, they courageously shared their stories of heartbreak and loss, knowing that their stories have the power to save lives. This is MADD’s war room - a group of victims and
F our decades of service to victims and commitment to eliminating drunk driving in America led us to this monumental moment. On November 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the most significant piece of legislation in MADD’s history in terms of lives saved and injuries that will be prevented. This is the beginning of the end of drunk driving. The new law gives the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) up to three years to establish a standard for advanced, passive technology that will prevent a drunk driver from operating a vehicle. Within three years after that, beginning as soon as 2026, new cars will come equipped with the technology. Adding technology to cars that can detect impairment and stop a driver from operating a vehicle could save 9,400 lives a year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Victims and survivors of impaired driving made this happen. Dozens of them came together as part of their healing journey, driven to advocate fiercely for an end to
survivors, led by MADD National President Alex Otte and Chief Government Affairs Officer Stephanie Manning, who came together in early 2021 devoted to passing this law. Past MADD National Presidents joined, lending their expertise and support while lamenting that drunk driving wasn’t solved years ago despite all their hard work. The idea of technology in all new cars was not new to MADD or many of the war room team. MADD began pushing for advanced vehicle technology in 2006. Timelines and goals for implementation of drunk driving prevention systems were set and then slipped away. Progress was stalled. Then on January 6, 2019, a wrong-way drunk driver crashed head on into an SUV on Kentucky’s I-75 in
The ‘war room’ of dozens of victims and survivors, along with staff, celebrate the historic moment when the bill was signed. Senator Luján, top right, makes his second special appearance.
6 MADDvocate ®
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