MADD, AAA, and Waymo Unite for Safe Driving Awareness This Holiday Season

A Unified Effort for Safer Roads This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, a formidable alliance is taking shape to combat impaired driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has partnered with the American Automobile Association (AAA) and Waymo, the leader in autonomous driving technology, to promote safe driving practices during one of the most perilous times of the year. This collaboration emerges as December serves as Impaired Driving Prevention Month, highlighting the critical need for safe transportation decisions during festivities.

Recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal a sobering reality: drunk driving claimed 4,931 lives during the December months from 2019 to 2023. With these alarming figures, MADD, AAA, and Waymo are stepping up their efforts, urging individuals and families to plan for safe rides home instead of risking the dangers of impaired driving.

Stacey D. Stewart, CEO of MADD, emphasized the importance of collective action in ending impaired driving. “Eliminating impaired driving necessitates collaboration among all of us, with everyone playing a crucial part,” she stated. The partnership with AAA and Waymo aligns perfectly with MADD’s mission, promising to significantly reduce impaired driving occurrences as coordinated efforts unfold throughout the month and beyond.

Similarly, Gene Boehm, President and CEO of AAA, reinforced the preventable nature of impaired driving. He indicated that with the increase in holiday travel and adverse winter weather conditions, roadways become even more hazardous when combined with instances of intoxicated driving. “Lives are on the line,” he pointed out, emphasizing the critical nature of their united stance.

In a thoughtful initiative, Waymo is providing a $5 discount for up to 2,500 rides, redeemable using the code “SAFEHOLIDAYS” through Ride-hailing services in major cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. This offers not only affordability but also assurance for safe transport, allowing individuals to enjoy the festivities without the burden of driving under the influence.

As Suzanne Philion, Chief Marketing Officer of Waymo, articulated, the statistics detailing the deaths caused by impaired driving depict more than mere numbers; they represent lives disrupted, families shattered, and communities in mourning. “At Waymo, we believe this is unacceptable,” she declared, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing road safety through sober, autonomous driving solutions.

The troubling trend of rising impaired driving incidents continues, a fact highlighted by NHTSA, with more than 13,000 fatalities recorded in the past two consecutive years. Notably, drunk driving fatalities have surged 22% since 2019, with a staggering statistic of someone being killed or injured every 85 seconds due to drunk driving crashes.

In addressing this alarming reality, MADD advocates for the implementation of lifesaving anti-drunk driving technology. The HALT Drunk Driving Law, established in 2021, mandates that this life-saving technology be incorporated into all new vehicles, a measure anticipated to save over 10,000 lives each year. Such advancements mark a crucial step toward creating safer roads for everyone.

Established in 1980, MADD has been a relentless force in advocating for the cessation of impaired driving, achieving a significant reduction in drunk driving deaths in the United States by over 40%, and assisting nearly one million victims affected by these tragic incidents. The organization focuses not merely on legislative efforts but also on community-based initiatives and the provision of support for victims.

As we navigate through the holiday festivities, let us all take a moment to reflect and act. Whether through planning ahead for transportation, utilizing services like AAA and Waymo for safe rides, or advocating for stronger laws protecting our streets, every effort counts in this fight against impaired driving.

By fostering collaborative relationships and initiating community-driven actions, MADD, AAA, and Waymo are paving the way towards a future where impaired driving is a traceable memory. This holiday season, let’s drive forward together towards safety and responsibility.