MADD’s Tie One On For Safety® Campaign Returns For The Holiday Season
November 1st marks the start of MADD’s Tie One On for Safety® campaign. Tie One On for Safety® is MADD’s longest running designated driver public awareness campaign. It works to save lives during one of the most dangerous times of year on our nation’s roadways-the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities during holiday periods than during non-holiday periods due to increased travel time, more alcohol use, and excessive driving speed. In 2017, for example, the overall average fatalities were 102 per day. In comparison, the average fatalities during six major holiday periods (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/New Year’s Day) were 119 per day.
In a recent review of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, nearly 25,000 people were killed, and close to 5,000 were seriously injured in collisions between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
The Tie One On for Safety® campaign urges everyone to designate a sober driver, to hand over their keys and it reminds us that it’s more important to get home late and alive, than to risk driving drunk or even buzzed. “Keep your holiday celebrations enjoyable by preventing tragedy,” the campaign states. “When you designate, you are more likely to get home safely to the ones you love. Every year, hundreds of families receive a knock at the door informing them a loved one was taken from them due to a senseless decision made under the influence of alcohol. The decision is 100 percent preventable.”
From November 1 through January 1, the campaign asks that drivers visibly display a MADD ribbon on their vehicles to remind everyone to always designate a non-drinking driver. They offer the following tips:
Make it a habit when celebrating.
- Give your sober driver a red ribbon.
- Hostesses provide non-alcoholic drinks for sober drivers, so your guests get home safely.
- Offer the spare bedroom or sofa in a pinch.
- Take turns being the sober driver.
- Keep a reliable taxi or driver service on your phone.
