MADD TIMES NEW ENGLAND REGION EDITION
SEPTEMBER 2022
On behalf of the MADD New England Staff, we wish everyone a happy and safe Back to School!!!
NHTSA Early Estimates Show Record Increase in Fatalities Nationwide
August 17, 2022 | Washington, DC
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released its early estimates of traffic fatalities for the first quarter of 2022.
NHTSA estimates that 9,560 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the first quarter of 2022. This is an increase of about 7% as compared to the 8,935 fatalities projected for the same quarter in 2021. This would be the highest number of first-quarter fatalities since 2002. According to NHTSA’s early estimates, the fatality rate for the first quarter of 2022 increased to 1.27 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, up from the projected rate of 1.25 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles in the first quarter of 2021. NHTSA recently began breaking out fatality trends by state for these quarterly estimates. While fatalities increased nationwide, 19 states and Puerto Rico saw traffic deaths decline during this period. NHTSA will continue to monitor state-by-state numbers to make it easier for state practitioners, researchers and advocates to see if there is a trend and if there are activities these states are undertaking that are contributing to this decline. “The overall numbers are still moving in the wrong direction. Now is the time for all states to double down on traffic safety. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there are more resources than ever for research, interventions and effective messaging and programs that can reverse the deadly trend and save lives,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s Administrator. Ending traffic fatalities across the country is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Transportation and the entire Biden-Harris Administration. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, makes significant investments in highway safety. In January, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the National Roadway Safety Strategy, which includes a special focus on reducing traffic fatalities. The long-term plan aims to save lives by focusing on safer people, safer roads, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and post-crash care. As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy to prevent traffic deaths, NHTSA launched a public education campaign last month to address one of America’s most dangerous driving behaviors – speeding. NHTSA’s Speeding Wrecks Lives campaign aims to change general attitudes toward speeding and remind drivers of the deadly consequences. In addition to education campaigns, NHTSA regional offices are working closely with States to assist them in directing NHTSA formula grant funds to address risky driving behaviors such as speeding and driving while impaired, protect vulnerable road users, and reach over-represented and underserved populations using a broad array of programs and countermeasures.
NHTSA has also launched its annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Labor Day high-visibility enforcement campaign, which focuses on preventing impaired driving and improving safety for all road users.
Statement on Increase in Traffic Deaths in First Quarter of 2022
“People are dying on America’s roads at levels not seen since 2002, with no apparent plan to address this immediate crisis. For the third consecutive year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported horrifying new estimates of the number of people killed in traffic crashes, while we have seen a troubling lack of commitment to take action to stop the slaughter occurring on our roads. With so many terrifying, high-profile crashes playing out daily, there is no time for complacency. We need to return to the basics of enforcing hazardous driving behavior laws and prosecuting these choices to the fullest extent of the law. Research has shown that this can be done in a fair and equitable way. The latest estimates that 9,560 people were killed in traffic crashes in the first quarter of 2022 – a 7% increase over first quarter 2021 – indicate that lives taken by someone’s choice to drive impaired will reach the highest levels in over a decade at a time when traffic safety enforcement is down. In light of this report, we urge the Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to convene a national Call to Action meeting to implement his National Roadway Safety Strategy and prioritize the use of proven traffic safety countermeasures as soon as possible. The strategy must prioritize swift actions to increase fair and equitable traffic safety enforcement and implementation of the Congressionally mandated rulemaking to require technology in all new cars that will prevent drunk driving. These must be approached with a genuine sense of urgency aimed at saving lives and preventing injuries.”
– MADD National President Alex Otte
View the NHTSA Report here.
Congratulations to MADD Massachusetts Award Winners
On June 14th, MADD Massachusetts honored Law Enforcement heroes from all over the state with an awards breakfast in Devens. Retired Sheriff John Whetsel from Oklahoma County was the guest speaker. His keynote address was informative, heartbreaking and inspiring. These winners went above and beyond last year in making OUI arrests a priority and impaired driving at the top of their community concerns. MADD is thankful for all their hard work in keeping our roadways safer every day.
OUI Excellence Award Winners: Captain Brian Anderson, Mass State Police Trooper Ryan Boswell, Mass State Police Officer Mariano Conte, Dudley PD Trooper Matthew Cote, Mass State Police Officer Garrett Danna, Sturbridge PD Officer Jayson Davis, Salisbury PD Trooper Patrick DiMartino, Mass State Police Trooper Russell Donnell, Mass State Police Trooper Anthony Frissora, Mass State Police Officer Matthew Frydryk, Amherst PD Sergeant Craig Goodrich, Salisbury PD Officer Daniel Hanks, Charlton PD Lieutenant John Healy, Mass State Police Officer Jacob Laughlin, Hadley PD Officer Heather Longley, Northampton PD Officer Kyle McElroy, Duxbury PD Lieutenant Peter Morawiak, Mass State Police Trooper Giovanni Orlando, Mass State Police Trooper Kyle Pavao, Mass State Police Officer John Sarnacki, Amherst PD Trooper Michael Sierra, Mass State Police Officer Alexander Sinni, Sutton PD Trooper Benjamin Siok, Mass State Police DRE Lifetime Achievement Award Winners: Sergeant Peter Cherry, Mass State Police Trooper Tyson DeLong, Mass State Police Sergeant Dylan Morris, Mass State Police MADD HERO Award Winners: Detective Sean Casella, Wilbraham PD Jeff Larason, Highway Safety Division, EOPSS MADD HERO Unit Award Winner: Traffic Programs Section, Mass State Police
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an injury to the spinal cord that results in temporary or permanent changes in the spinal cord’s normal motor, sensory, or autonomic function. People who sustain a spinal cord injury often have permanent and profound neurologic deficits and accompanying disability. Spinal cord injury can result in paralysis of the muscles used for breathing; paralysis and/or loss of feeling in all or some of the trunk, arms, and legs; weakness; numbness; loss of bowel and bladder control; and numerous secondary conditions including respiratory problems, pressure sores, and sometimes fatal spikes in blood pressure. For those who survive a spinal cord injury, the most important element of their care becomes preventing complications resulting from the injury, and the prevention of complications related to the disability. There are approximately 17,000 new spinal cord injuries in the United States each year. Vehicle crashes are currently the leading cause of injury, followed by falls, acts of violence (primarily gunshot wounds), and sports/recreation activities. Our community is stronger when it comes together to educate the public on the challenges of living with spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite living with SCI, we believe a full, productive, and rewarding life is within the reach of anyone with the strength to believe it and the courage to make it happen.
For more information visit: https://unitedspinal.org/ https://helphopelive.org/
Spring Mocktail Event a Success!
Becky White thanks a student for honoring her mother Marsha.
It was great to be back together in person last April for this long-standing event. On April 28th, students, staff and families from across the state gathered at Bishop Hendricken High School to honor victims and survivors of drunk/drugged driving. School groups created special Mocktails and table displays as part of their participation in MADD RI’s Victim Adoption Program. We had refreshments and a friendly competition. It was inspiring and heartwarming to see the dedication of young people working to prevent these tragedies and honor those affected.
Golfers Gone MADD - 9/20/22 (CT) Walk Like MADD Boston - 9/25/22 (MA) Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony - 9/30/22 (CT) MADD About Entertainment - 10/1/22 (CT) Maine Walk Like MADD - 10/1/22 (ME)
Recognition Awards Breakfast - 10/7/22 (RI) Branford Walk Like MADD - 10/8/22 (CT) Rhode Island Walk Like MADD - 10/15/22 (RI) MADD CT Open House - 10/18/22 (CT) MADD CT Luminary Event - 11/3/22 (CT) Rhode Island Candlelight Vigil - 12/8/22 (RI)
Upcoming Events for MADD RI
On Friday, October 7th, MADD RI will hold its annual Recognition Awards Breakfast to honor our partners in law enforcement, prosecution, education and victim advocacy. It will be at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, and tickets can be purchased at https://form.jotform.com/SeanCassidy/madd-awards-breakfast- Sponsorships and donations are also sincerely appreciated and can be made through this link: https://form.jotform.com/SeanCassidy/-madd-awards-breakfast- sponsor-form
Shannon Hegy of WPRI and Cathy Andreozzi, Event Chairperson and MADD RI Board Member at the 2021 MADD Recognition Awards Breakfast
On Saturday, October 15th, we will be having our annual Walk Like MADD at Pierce Memorial Field in East Providence. Create a team, join us in person or walk virtually. We hope you will rally with us to help create a future of No More Victims. For more
information and to register, go to www.walklikemadd.org/rhodeisland
MADD Massachusetts to Host Walk Like MADD & Cornhole Tournament
The MADD Massachusetts office is thrilled to host its annual Walk Like MADD event at a new location, with a new twist. Please join us on September 25th at Stoneham High School and be a part of our walk and cornhole tournament! Winners of our cornhole tournament will receive brand new kids’ bikes. Walkers and players will receive goody bags, t-shirts, and lunch. Be a part of our special day as we honor our victims and survivors and raise awareness about impaired driving. In addition, we will have music, kids’ games, raffles and a victim tribute tent. Register today at www.walklikemadd.org/boston and use the code: NEWSLETTER for $5 off! Volunteers are also needed. Please email MA.Sate@madd.org for more info.
CONTACT US
MADD New England/ Connecticut 339 Hemingway Ave., 2nd FL East Haven, CT 06512 203-764-2566 Bob.Garguilo@madd.org
ct.state@madd.org www.madd.org/ct
MADD Massachusetts P.O. Box 141 Danvers, MA 01923 781-328-0002 MA.State@madd.org www.madd.org/ma
MADD Rhode Island P.O. Box 3468 Pawtucket, RI 02861 203-764-2566 Bob.Garguilo@madd.org www.madd.org/rhode-island
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online