Victim/Survivor Pathways
MADD’s most valuable asset is our people — victims/survivors — their experience, expertise, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment. Together we:
Advocate for safe roads and streets:
Raise awareness:
MADD began with a mother turning her grief into action, using grassroots leadership to create major social change in the attitude and behavior of Americans toward drunk driving. Her dedication grew into a network of victims/survivors who participate in local, state and national advocacy campaigns aimed at passing laws. This nationwide movement of supporters show up every time - putting victim’s stories at the forefront of each piece of legislation - from the 1984 Minimum Drinking Age Law signed by President Reagan, to the 2000 .08 BAC measure signed by President Clinton and to the HALT Act signed as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden. MADD victims/ survivors are on the front lines, changing policy and legislation that continue to make our roads safer for generations to come.
Victims/survivors are leaders in educating the public and policymakers about the realities of impaired driving. They speak out in many ways, including the sharing of their personal stories across their communities. It is through their vulnerability that we are able to change minds and behavior around the decisions that people make. “I was there with him, when we removed the life support, I was there when he took his first breath and I was going to be with him when he took his last. And it’s not anything I wish on anybody else. It’s a memory I wish I didn’t have.” Rich Leotta, Father Noah Leotta, Montgomery County Police Officer, hit and killed by a repeat drunk driver at a sobriety checkpoint on December 10, 2015. Addressing the Maryland General Assembly Session, about a loophole in Noah’s Law
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving ®
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