The Learn More About the Organization series is intended to educate the public about members of the Texas Impaired Driving Task Force. This week’s featured organization is Mother Against Drunk Driving – Texas. Answers to the questions are provided by the organization.
Describe your work as it relates to combating impaired driving in the state.
The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD works to accomplish this mission by engaging in various awareness strategies intended to positively influence social behaviors and ensure impaired driving is considered unacceptable.
Describe your program.
MADD developed the ‘Take the Wheel’ initiative as a comprehensive list of complimentary strategies to help bring about the end of impaired driving in Texas. These strategies are conducted by MADD Program Specialists and local volunteers and include:
- Court Monitoring
Attend county and district level impaired driving court proceedings. The MADD team tracks, documents and published the adjudication of these impaired driving cases in support of complete judicial transparency. Local law enforcement represent a significant consumer of this information. - Law Enforcement Outreach
Conduct Law Enforcement Outreach (LEO) with officers at police departments, briefings, training activities, forums and meetings to convey current and evolving DWI/DUI and underage drinking prevention, detection and enforcement information to local law enforcement officers. - Law Enforcement Recognition
Produce Law Enforcement Recognition and Award Activities to recognize local law enforcement officers for exceptional service in enforcing and supporting Texas DWI/DUI laws and their diligent work to eliminate drunk and drugged driving. - Impaired Driving Roundtable
Produce Impaired Driving Roundtable/Education activities, inviting Judges, Prosecutors, Probation, Law Enforcement and community stakeholders to present and discuss MADD Court Monitoring data, evolving drunk and drugged driving (DWI/DUI) prevention and enforcement information. - Power of Parents®
Educate parents and other adults of the dangers in providing alcohol to children and their influential role in reducing Under the Influence (DUI) by a Minor Offenses through the presentation of the Power of Parents® program. - Power of You(th)®
Educate teens and young adults in their power to take a stand against illegal underage alcohol consumption and the dangers of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) by a Minor offenses through the presentation of the Power Of You(th) (R) program. - Community Outreach
Conduct Community Outreach at public forums and events, open venues, churches and wellness fairs to present and distribute MADD Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, TXDOT and MADD program information to the public and underserved communities. - Power of Community
Engage in local community environmental strategies that work towards eliminating drunk and drugged driving, preventing underage drinking and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) by a Minor Offenses.
How does being a member of the Texas Impaired Driving Task Force enhance the work you’re doing?
Working with the Texas Impaired Driving Task Force and its members has enables our abilities to partner with other like-minded organizations and initiatives to expand our potential reach and impact. Together we are working to make a difference.
What would you like the public to know about impaired driving?
Impaired driving is 100% preventable and the real impact of this senseless offense is horrifying. The danger is real – and it can wreak life-changing devastation anytime, anywhere, to anyone in the blink of an eye. The impact of impaired driving will be felt by two out of every three people in their life time. Please help MADD and the rest of the Texas Impaired Driving Task Force team prevent impaired driving.
What would you like the public to know about your program?
MADD team members work tirelessly to end impaired driving but they are not superheroes; we need your help. For our efforts to be truly impactful, we need community involvement. Come and join us and support with your precious time. You will make the difference, even for just one hour or one day a year. Help us end impaired driving.
Do you have any upcoming events?
PowerTalk21 is April 21st of every year. It is our designated day to have a meaningful conversation with that youth in your life about the consequences of underage drinking and the importance of abstaining from alcohol until after their 21st birthday. A person’s brain is developing until their mid-20’s. The younger a child consumes any amount of alcohol dramatically increases their chances of suffering from one of the many alcohol issues or ailments. Please help us get the word out. Go to MADD.org to find out how you can help.
