Nebraska MADD

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a non-profit organization based in Irving, Texas with a mission to stop drunk driving, offer support to the victims of drunk driving, and prevent underage drinking. The organization was founded in 1980 by a woman whose 13-year-old daughter was the victim of a hit-and-run drunk driver.

But one shouldn't be confused by the name. MADD does not only consist of mothers, but also of fathers, siblings, family, loved ones, and concerned citizens, all with a common goal.

MADD supports a variety of topics dealing with the prevention of alcohol use:

• Helping victims of drunk driving and their families
• Maintaining a legal drinking age of 21
• Education regarding the dangers of drunk driving
• Strict policies on DUI offenders caught with a BAC (blood alcohol content) over the legal limit of 0.08 percent, including licenses suspension, mandatory jail time, and mandatory treatment for alcoholism.
• Mandating alcohol breath testing IIDs (ignition interlock devices) for anyone convicted of a DUI.

The History of MADD

In 1980, the 13-year-old daughter of Candice Lightner was killed in a hit-and-run accident while walking down a suburban street in California. The 46-year-old driver, Clarence Busch, had recently been arrested for another DUI hit-and-run. This incident inspired Lightner to begin Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

In 1983, a movie was made about Lightner, resulting in mass publicity for the organization. The popularity of the group grew wildly. In the early 1980s, the group attracted the attention of the United States Congress, and had its greatest success with the imposition of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984. This act stated that there would be a federal penalty for any state who didn't raise the minimum age for purchasing and consuming alcohol to 21.

In 1988, many parents became involved with MADD when an impaired driver collided head on with a school bus. Twenty-seven passengers of the bus were killed; many more were injured. MADD Canada was founded in 1990.

The Nebraska Chapters of MADD

There are five chapters of MADD located in the state of Nebraska: They are the Lancaster County, Tri County, Holt/Boyd Counties, Greater Omaha, and Nebraska Chapters. These chapters can be reached on the web at http://madd.org/Local-Chapters/Chapters.aspx?state=NE.