Submitted by MADD:
The Fourth of July is traditionally a time for family togetherness and summertime fun, however, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) San Francisco Bay Area warns that it can also be a dangerous time for those traveling on San Francisco Bay Area roads.
In 2010, 155 people were killed nationwide in drunk driving crashes over the holiday weekend, and 80 percent of those crashes took place at night, between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.
“Too many of us at MADD know the pain of losing a loved one in a drunk driving crash, so it’s our hope that by drawing attention to the increased dangers associated with a holiday like the Fourth of July, we can save other families the heartache and devastation caused by drunk driving,” said Jody Iorns, MADD
San Francisco Bay Area. “MADD encourages people to plan ahead for a safe way home if their plans include alcohol.”
Across the country in 2010, more than 10,000 people were killed in drunk driving crashes, and another 345,000 were injured. As part of the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown on drunk driving around Fourth of July, San Francisco Bay Area law enforcement will be intensifying their efforts to
deter and detect drunk driving, in order to prevent these needless deaths and injuries.
Local Holiday Activities of note:
• Daly City will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint on July 3, 2012.
• Richmond PD will be conducting a Saturation Patrol immediately following the fireworks celebration on July 3, 2012. Additionally, on July 7, 2012 Richmond PD will conduct a Sobriety Checkpoint in the northern district of Richmond.
• MADD has a number of volunteer opportunities available to support these law enforcement efforts and our mission.
For more information about MADD San Francisco Bay Area, visit www.madd.org/local-offices/ca/bay-area.
And to learn more about MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which includes support for high-visibility law enforcement, go to www.madd.org/campaign.
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®
will end this danger on America’s roads. PowerTalk 21® is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of Power of Parents™ to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk
and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every eight minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP.
Learn more at www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.
