MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING A MONTHLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER MINNESOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, & SOUTH DAKOTA REGION
MAY 2023 • ISSUE 3 • VOLUME 1
MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT: TROOPER JOSEPH PETERSON SOUTH DAKOTA HIGHWAY PATROL
Since it's creation in 1980, MADD has worked side-by-side with law enforcement, launching the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving in response to more than 13,000 people who were being killed each year. These brave individuals put their lives at risk every day and are often themselves victims of impaired drivers. MADD supports law enforcment heroes who keep our roads safe and we applaud their efforts to help us end drunk and drugged driving. MAY IS LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION MONTH!
Joseph Peterson has been a state trooper with the South Dakota Highway Patrol for just over 8 years. During high school, he attended the Explorer Program with Vermillion Police Department and greatly enjoyed all he learned. He later attended Western Iowa Tech Community College and earned his associates degree while working as a Seasonal Park Ranger for South Dakota Game Fish and Parks. It was during this period, he found his passion for traffic enforcement. In his current role with the South Dakota Highway Patrol, he acts as a Traffic Crash Reconstructionist and has directly seen the impact of substance-impaired driving on our community, " I have talked to many people left trying to pick up the pieces after their loved one was killed by a drunk driver ." Through services provided in the state and partnership with MADD Victim Services, there is support for these victim survivors and we get to see them make steps towards healing. Peterson also highlights the importance of prevention on this important issue, " The biggest thing to end drunk driving will be community support in making it absolutely taboo for anyone to even think about driving drunk ." At MADD, we are so grateful for individuals like Peterson who are willing to speak out on this important topic and help us in our mission to end drunk driving. Peterson is very appreciative to work with "some of the hardest working men in Sioux Falls 'B' Squad with their relentless effort to stop and apprehend impaired drivers." At MADD, we cannot thank individuals like Peterson, his team, and other Law Enforcement Agents for all the hard work you do each and every day. To every Law Enforcement Agent, you matter, the work you do matters, and it is saving lives. Thank you!
UPCOMING EVENT! WALK LIKE MADD SEPTEMBER 16th We hope that you will rally with us in
Plymouth, MN. Sign up today using the QR code.
MADD'S BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (BUI) 2023 CAMPAIGN Boating and alcohol can be a deadly mix. A boater is likely to become impaired more quickly than an automobile driver, and even moderate drinking can cause significant impairment on the water. The environmental stressors - motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray - accelerate the impairing effects of alcohol. These stressors cause fatigue that makes a boater's coordination, judgment and reaction time decline even faster when consuming alcohol. Every boater needs to understand the risk of boating under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs in every state.
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DANGERS OF BUI
BEFORE YOU BOAT
The use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating incidents. Alcohol impairs coordination and judgment; two qualities essential for safe boating. A recreational boat operator with a blood alcohol content (BAC) at or above 0.19% has fatality rate 10x that of a sober operator. At .035% BAC a boater's ability to operate a boat is impaired. The penalties for BUI can include large fines, revocation of operator privileges and serious jail time.
Always wear a life vest.
Have a safety plan before you get on the water. Ensure that all passengers know and understand the importance of safety and what to do in the event of an emergency.
Take along a variety of non-alcoholic cool drinks.
If your plans include alcohol, consider doing so on shore AFTER you are finished boating for the day and have a non- drinking driver to get you to your next destination on land. Many recreational boaters forget that a boat is a vehicle. DON'T DRINK AND OPERATE A BOAT.
VICTIM SERVICES CONTACTS
Northern Region Minnesota Courtni Peterson 651.523.0802 ext.2757 courtni.peterson@madd.org Southern Region Minnesota Hayli Littlehead 651.523.0802 ext.2760 hayli.littlehead@madd.org South Dakota Rachel Martens 605.309.3942 ext. 2752 rachel.martens@madd.org
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