 | maddnebraska on The 90’s |
 | Vickie on The 90’s |
We have a new blog location!
To make your life easier, we have connected our blog with the MADD Nebraska website. All of the up-to-date MADD Nebraska and national news and information all in one place. We invite you to come on over and check out all of the new blog and website features at www.madd.org/ne.
Can’t wait to see you there.
MADD was founded 35 years ago. I often wonder if the founders had any idea at that time, what the future might hold. A future where we have moved the fight against drunk driving forward, brought it to the forefront and changed the conversation. And at the same time, a future where we are starting the fight all over again, to eliminate drugged driving. While we have long served the victims of both drugged and drunk driving, we are moving forward with the future and adding eliminating drugged driving to our mission. We want, and need, to be part of the solution to end drunk and drugged driving, and in the end have no more victims of these crimes. Is high the new DUI? Maybe, but it doesn’t mean we are done fighting the old DUI just yet.
Drugged driving is a problem that is getting more and more public recognition. It is hardly a new subject, but it is one that is coming to light as more states legalize certain drugs. It is also a very complicated issue. While testing for alcohol impairment is very straight forward, tests for drug impairment are more complicated. All of this means we have to work even harder to educate, and eliminate drugged driving. At the same time, the issue of drunk driving is not yet solved. While giant strides have been made forward, we still have a long way to go. By adding drugged driving to our mission, we are not forgetting the importance of drunk driving. We know that both of the issues are taking lives on our roads and we know that we need to work to end both of them.
In the 35 years since MADD started, times have changed and they will continue to. We know that some day the change will be that technology and education mean there is no more impaired driving. Cars will hold the cure to drunk driving, and at some point drugged driving as well. Until then, we count on the great work on law enforcement officers who are working to spot and stop impaired drivers. We educate, so rather than having to catch those driving impaired, they make the decision to not drive in the first place. That education is part of the reason we have seen declines in drunk driving, people are making better decisions because they know the true risks of drinking and driving.
There is a future with no more victims, no more lives lost to any sort of impaired driving. And we will get there. Until then, we are here. Working hard to end drugged and drunk driving. Standing up for those who no longer can. And Being a voice for victims of these violent crimes. We won’t stop, until there are no more victims.
The Super Bowl is America’s most watched national sporting event – bringing together families, friends and fans each year to enjoy the excitement of the big game. But unfortunately, it’s also one of the most dangerous days on the road because of drunk driving. Last year, 43% of all traffic fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday involved a drunk driver (compared to 31% on an average day).
MADD wants everyone to enjoy the game this year, but more importantly, we want everyone to get home from the celebration safely. So if you’re hosting a Super Bowl watching party this Sunday, use these tips to be a champion host, or if you’re attending a party, check out our checklist to help you plan ahead.
No matter how you celebrate or who you cheer for, don’t ruin the day by getting a DUI, or much worse. If you’re game plan includes alcohol, make sure you plan ahead with a non-drinking designated driver to help get everyone home safe after the game.
Today is the first ever National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day—a time to show support to law enforcement officers that serve to protect our community.
High-visibility law enforcement techniques that catch drunk and drugged drivers and discourage others from driving drunk are part of our Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®. These techniques have been proven to reduce drunk driving deaths by 20 percent. That is why MADD works so closely with the officers who keep our families safe on and off the roads.
How will you thank Law 
Enforcement today? A note on social media, a thank you when you encounter an officer working, or maybe by taking the time to nominate someone doing excellent work for a MADD Law Enforcement Award. The nomination criteria and form are available on our website at www.madd.org/ne. Our local and national Law Enforcement officers have one of the most difficult jobs around. The work they do keeps us safe from so many dangers, especially impaired drivers. We thank them, today and every day for the work they do.
Join us in saying thank you and celebrating this first ever National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day!
Sometimes we all just need a little reminder to make better choices. Sometimes that is just a friend reminding us and sometimes it is something we see that moves us. This psa is meant to be the reminder, that a celebration can turn tragic if the choice is made to drink and drive. It’s use of a song we all know, next to video that tells the story, is amazing and a great reminder this holiday season to celebrate good times, with a non-drinking designated driver.
Watch the psa here: http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/uk-drunk-driving-ad-makes-cruelly-ironic-use-kool-gangs-celebration-161328
We hope your holiday season is filled with hope, joy and little reminders of the wonderful things in life that make it so important to designate a driver.
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and as the name implies, it is our day to give thanks. This year, we here at MADD Nebraska are thankful for lives saved. It is hard to give an exact number, but we do know that the work done by so many to spread the message and keep people from drinking and driving, ultimately saves lives.
We are thankful for those victim families, who allow MADD into their lives at one of the most difficult times they will ever experience. Those families who may never realize that they are the ones who inspire us each day to do our jobs and that their loved one is the face we picture when we are telling people that drunk driving is not a victim-less crime. They are the stories that put a face and a name on a crime and in turn motivate countless others to make the choice not to drink and drive. The pain they go through every day, so many will never know because they were brave enough to share their story and help someone make a better choice.
We are thankful for those who spend long days and even longer nights on the roads, arresting drunk drivers and keeping us safe. Hard work, dedication and a passion for the safety of all Nebraska are the trademarks of the men and women of our state’s law enforcement. We know that the work of our Law Enforcement across the state and the country is saving lives. Each arrest they make, is one person off the road that could have caused a fatal crash. So we are thankful for the work they do and the sacrifices they make each day to save lives.
We are thankful for those who support our mission, through time, talents and financial contributions. All of these things help to increase the reach of MADD Nebraska across the state. It is the generosity of so many that allows the MADD mission to be known throughout Nebraska and for that we are always thankful. We will never know how many lives are saved because people were connected with the MADD mission.
We are thankful for all the people who big or small have an impact here in our state. We don’t tell them thank you often enough, so as we approach this holiday of thankfulness, we are taking a moment to say thank you. Each of us here in the MADD Nebraska State Office, is thankful every day we get the privilege of working with so many people doing such amazing things to end impaired driving and to save lives. We wish you each a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope you remember today and always, that we are thankful for you, the people who make MADD Nebraska. You have touched so many hearts and saved so many lives and for that, we can never say thank you enough.
Sometimes the power of an object, is that it can say the things we can’t always say. A visual way to speak out without saying a word, a conversation starter so we can share something of ourselves with others or an outward way to say we support something. Throughout this week week, students across the country will be using a simple object to show the world that they are going to make good choices and not drink until they are 21, a red ribbon. This simple red ribbon speaks volumes and we will be seeing them in school across the nation. They show us the power of youth. The power each young person has to say no, to take a stand and to encourage friends to do the same.
During red ribbon week, a simple red ribbon becomes positive peer pressure. And we here at MADD Nebraska are excited to be part of the movement. The MADD Power of (You)th program focuses on helping kids learn that they have the power to make good choices, to wait until they are 21 to drink and to never ride with a driver who has made the choice to drink. By encouraging young people to make these choices we are helping protect their future.
During red ribbon week and beyond, we here at MADD are encouraging students to make the choice to #protecturselfie. Make a pledge to not drink underage and post your photo using the hashtag to show yourself as a positive influence for others. And stop by the MADD state office to pick up your red ribbon and let it by the outward symbol of the good decisions you are making when it comes to alcohol.
Each year we come together to walk for those who no longer can and beside those who are learning to walk again at our Walk Like MADD event. This year we will be walking at Holmes Lake in Lincoln on October 12th and we hope you will walk with us.
We each walk for a different reason. But we each walk to make a difference. We know that drunk driving does discriminate, everyone on the road is at risk when someone makes the decision to drink and drive. That is why we feel it is vital to raise awareness and teach people the true danger of getting behind the wheel after drinking. We walk because together we will end drunk driving. We walk because together we share a vision of a future with no more drunk driving victims. And we walk with the victims and survivors who are walking empowered when they feel powerless and with a purpose when they feel lost. We walk because the funds we raise each year, help us continue to offer these impacted families free victim services. It is the heart of our mission to stand beside victims and survivors as they face the life-changing impact of a drunk or drugged driving crash.
So why do we walk? The reasons are endless. But they all have something in common. We walk for hope. So please join us on October 12th at Holmes Lake in Lincoln, with day of registration starting at 1:00 p.m. and the walk starting at 2:30 p.m. We can’t wait to walk beside you and show Nebraska that together we will end drunk driving! Register today at www.walklikemadd.org/lincoln
When was the last time someone asked you just how much you drink in a year? Did you answer honestly? A new report indicates that we are all bad about accurately reporting just how much we drink. In fact, the amount we report we drink across the nation, accounts for only half of what is sold each year.
The study used a few new questions to find out if people were being honest about their drinking habits. And turns out, they aren’t. In fact, low-risk drinkers, seem to report only about 1 in 4 drinks they consume. Oddly, the highest risk drinkers, are the most accurate when reporting how much they drink.
Interesting, to think how people self-report and how that mis-representation in how much people admit they drink relates to whether they make the choice to drive impaired. Do we make the same choices to underestimate our drinking behaviors, when we are deciding if we are able to drive home. My guess, is yes. Whether it is intentional, choosing to not admit that we actually had three drinks during dinner instead of the one we had planned. Or unintentional, because an actual serving size and the margarita the size of your head, should probably not be counted as the same number of drinks.
No matter what, this study is a good reminder, to always make the choice to designate a sober driver, before you start drinking. And a good reminder to really think about how much alcohol you are consuming. Being honest with ourselves can truly help us make better decisions in the long run. Check out this article to learn more about the study.
Across our state, school is ending, weather is warming and we are all preparing for the start of summer. But, summer can be a very dangerous time on the roads in our state and across the nation. So as we kick off summer with Memorial Day weekend, it is important to remember to make safe choices for a safe summer.
First, always, always, always buckle your seatbelt. Always. No questions asked, no excuses, no matter where you are in the car, you should have your seatbelt on. Seatbelts truly do save lives. If you need more inspiration than that, check out the new Click It or Ticket Facebeook Page filled with great information and statistics informing you why wearing your seatbelt is the best choice!
Next, plan ahead. We know that many times holiday parties involve alcohol. So, if your plans include drinking, make sure your plans involve a sober designated driver. In 2012, 165 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. There will be extra Law Enforcement out on the roads throughout the holiday weekend, so your choice to designate a driver could be the choice that saves you from the cost of a DUI. Even more, your choice to designate a driver could save a life.
Last, have a fun weekend! Enjoy friends, family and hopefully, beautiful weather. Just make sure that you are buckled up and have a non-drinking driver if your plans include alcohol. Your choices help make sure you and everyone else on the road gets home safe. By starting the summer making these choices, we hope it inspires you to make them throughout the summer and the year. Because while alcohol-related crashes may spike around holidays like Memorial day, they happen every single day of the year.
MADD Nebraska 