<< See http://www.madd.org/news/0,1056,1257,00.html and http://www.madd.org/news/0,1056,1676,00.html for 20th anniversary stories from the Spring 2000 issue of Driven Magazine >>

President Reagan announces a Presidential Task Force on drunk driving and invites MADD to serve on it.

MADD grows to 11 chapters by year-end.

<< MADD Orange County chapter started December 1981 >>

Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving formed.

By Fall, 1982 MADD had more than 70 chapters and by year-end had 100 chapters.

MADD's national office moves to Hurst, Texas.

March, 1983:  NBC produces a made-for-television movie about MADD and its founder (Candy Lightner Story) resulting in the growth of more chapters and significant media attention.

By the end of March, 122 new MADD chapters opened covering 35 states.  A national poll revealed that 84% of the country had heard about MADD.

129 new anti-drunk driving laws pass by year end. 

Federal "21" minimum drinking age bill is signed into law July 17.

MADD goes international when Canada becomes the first country outside of the US to charter a MADD affiliate.

The direct mail campaign is started to educate the public and raise funds for MADD's mission.

MADD changes its name to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

MADD grows to more than 330 chapters in 47 states by year end. 

MADD establishes Victim Assistance Institutes to train volunteers on how to support victims of drunk driving and how to serve as their advocates in the criminal justice system.

Telemarketing programs spur growth in grassroots support and serve as a major public awareness campaign to educate the general public on drunk driving issues.

Project Red Ribbon is introduced and one million red ribbons are distributed as motorists pledge to drive safe and sober during the Christmas and New Year holidays.  Today, this campaign is known as Tie One on for Safety. 

Australia charters MADD affiliate.

National 1-GET-MADD hotline created to provide victim support.

MADD submits an amicus brief to the US Supreme Court opposing an effort by several states to rule the federal Age 21 law unconstitutional. The law was successfully upheld.

<< MADD Orange County started Victim Impact Panels >>

Omnibus Anti-Drug Abuse Act is signed. Included in this landmark bill is an amendment extending to all victims of DWI the same compensation rights offered to victims of other crimes. 

Another amendment creates the Drunk Driving Prevention Act (Section 410) to increase incentives for key state DWI law enactment. Also adopted was the Alcohol Beverage Labeling Act, requiring warnings on alcohol containers.

Impaired Driving Issues Compendium is created and ten companion workshops scheduled to instruct judges, legislators, law enforcement officials and MADD members on how to amend and implement stronger anti-DWI laws.

All 50 states now had passed Age 21 as the minimum legal drinking age.

MADDvocate magazine launched. 

First MADD National Youth Conference, co-sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters, is held in Washington, D.C.

MADD forms Victim Impact Panels as a national program and publishes a "How To" booklet and video.

MADD files an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court over the constitutionality of sobriety checkpoints.  Following a hearing, the court rules in favor of checkpoints. MADD later establishes the week of July 4th as National Sobriety Checkpoint Week.

MADD introduces its 20 X 2000 plan to reduce the proportion of traffic fatalities that are alcohol-related by 20 percent by the year 2000.

MADD had 407 chapters, 53 Community Action Teams (CATs) and 32 state offices with affiliates in Canada, England, New Zealand and Australia. 

Congress passed the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), which included an updated, more accessible Section 410 program to more effectively encourage states to adopt key anti-DUI legislation; MADD had a key role in shaping the program.

The first national Rating the States Survey is released, drawing nationwide attention to the status of state and federal efforts against drunk driving.

MADD sponsored Gallup survey of public attitudes on drunk driving reveals that Americans cite drunk driving as the number one problem on the nation's highways.

The Transportation Employee Testing Safety Act passes, requiring alcohol as well as drug testing of transportation employees in safety-sensitive jobs, including random, pre- employment and post-crash testing. MADD constituents helped turn the tide and secure House action after the Senate had already taken action 11 times.

MADD develops clergy/funeral director seminars to help educate clergy, funeral directors and allied professionals on the special needs of family members following a tragic death.

MADD testifies on Capitol Hill on issues including funding for the Section 410 incentive grant program and on the Sensible Advertising and Family Education (SAFE) Act, to require extending the current health and safety warnings on alcohol beverage containers to all alcohol advertising.

Gallup survey reveals Americans cite drunk driving as No. problem on nation's roads. 

Five states pass laws to lower the legal blood alcohol limit from .10 to .08.

The second national Rating the States Survey is released, highlighting progress and remaining challenges in the fight against impaired driving.  

MADD releases results from second year-long Gallup survey on drunk driving, which shows the public is becoming increasingly less tolerant of drunk drivers and more supportive of stiffer penalties.  

Release of the 1993 Fatal Accident Reporting System statistics reveals that alcohol-related traffic deaths dropped the previous year to a 30-year low; NHTSA credits MADD along with tougher laws.

MADD premieres Hollywood gets MADD with Siskel & Ebert on national television.

Alcohol-related deaths drop to a 30-year low. 

MADD participates in the Secretary of Transportation's Summit on Highway Safety, announcing a proposed goal of reducing alcohol-related traffic fatalities to 11,000 or fewer by the year 2005.

MADD begins holding public policy institutes to train state public policy liaisons in DUI issues and legislative how-to techniques.  

MADD announces national drunk driving fatalities rise for the first time in a decade.

Federal Zero Tolerance Law was passed by the US Congress tying federal highway funds to the passage of a state-level version of the Zero Tolerance Law.

Third national Rating the States Survey is released announcing drop in nation's grade primarily due to rise in drunk driving fatalities.

MADD announces new focus on underage drinking and impaired driving with youth programs born out of its Commission on Youth report.

MADD pilots first six Youth In Action sites.

MADD National launches an online presence at www.madd.org. 

<< MADD Orange County's website also started in 1996. >>

President Clinton and Senator Dole announce support for crime victims' constitutional amendment

The first MADD National Youth Summit to Prevent Underage Drinking is held. Four-hundred thirty-five teens, representing each US congressional district, attended the historic summit to develop and present their own solutions to America's underage drinking problem.

MADD reached the 20 x 2000 goal three years early when the percentage of alcohol-related traffic crashes fell to below 40 percent.  

DRIVEN Magazine is launched.

MADD hosted the International Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance and Hope at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. There were more than 1,000 participants.

MADD hosts the National Diversity Forum and the MADD National Board of Directors adopts recommendations from MADD's Diversity Task Force on program outreach to people of color.  

Brendan Brogan, 17, of New Jersey becomes the first youth member of MADD's National Board of Directors.

MADD commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Kentucky Bus Crash, the deadliest drunk driving crash in US history that killed 27 people and injured 30 others.

US Senate overwhelmingly passes federal .08 bill although House refuses to vote on amendment. Congress adopts a $500 million incentive grant program.

Zero Tolerance legislation is passed in all 50 states.

The MADD National Board of Directors unanimously votes to change the organization's mission statement to include the prevention of underage drinking.

Texas becomes the 17th state to establish .08 blood alcohol content as the illegal drunk driving limit.

The fourth MADD Rating the States Survey is released. The nation receives an average grade of C+ due to the leveling rate of decline in alcohol-related traffic deaths and thwarted passage of key federal legislation.

MADD and Sam Houston State University (SHSU) announce the launch of the National Institute for Victim Studies in Huntsville, Texas.

MADD has a presence in all 50 states and affiliates in Guam and Puerto Rico. 

MADD grows to more than 600 chapters and 2 million members/supporters.

National .08 BAC measure (part of the Federal Transportation Appropriations Bill) signed into law October 23. 

Second MADD National Youth Summit to Prevent Underage Drinking held in Washington DC. 

MADD College Commission Report to Address Alcohol's Impact on America's College Campuses released

UMADD, Protecting You / Protecting Me and Pasa Las Llaves (Pass the Keys) launched. 

Eight-pint plan to reduce alcohol-related traffic deaths and injuries unveiled.

Spanish-language www.madd.org/spanish website launched.

Fifth Rating the States report released — national grade "C." 

First MADD Media Awards held.

MADD received Fries Prize for Improving Health from the Healthtrac foundation.

MADD holds a national press event in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Kentucky Bus Crash - the worst drunk driving crash in U.S. history — and to highlight its recommendations for TEA-21 reauthorization. 

MADD establishes an affiliate in Sweden expanding MADD's reach to five continents.

MADD launches FACE, a multimedia show for junior high and high school students to help youth make good choices to the tough decisions they face regarding alcohol.

MADD announces Path of Hope, a victim services awareness campaign and resources specifically designed for Native American nations, tribes and pueblos.

Forty-five states (45) and D.C. pass the illegal .08 blood alcohol concentration law by year-end.

MADD convenes its first Law Enforcement Leadership Summit to discuss best practices in lowering impaired driving deaths and injuries.

MADD testifies before Congress in the U.S. House Education Reform Subcommittee on underage drinking issues in response to the NAS report.

MADD's child endangerment report, Everyone Deserves a Designated Driver, is released highlighting the need to protect children riding in vehicles with impaired parents or caregivers through stronger laws and enforcement and increased training and public awareness.

MADD participates in World Health Day promoting roadway safety.

MADD kicks off Strides for Change, a pledge-based walk piloted in six cities.

By July, all 50 states and D.C. pass .08 BAC as the illegal drunk driving limit.

MADD and the nation celebrate the 20th anniversary of 21 drinking age law.

Seven (7) congressional members introduce the STOP Underage Drinking Act, legislation spurred by the NAS report, with MADD's support.

MADD receives the Haddon Award from the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety.

MADD is honored with the Charity of the Year Award by the DMA Nonprofit Federation.

The Protecting You/Protecting Me curriculum is culturally tailored for Native American communities and students, a first for the organization.

The new national victim services hotline 1-877-MADD-HELP is launched as a 24-hour dedicated line for victim support.

MADD enters its 25th anniversary year with the theme of "MADD Celebrates Life." 

MADD releases its Law Enforcement Leadership Summit Report outlining the importance for increased enforcement including sobriety checkpoints to stop drunk driving.

The organization's best kept secret — free victim services — is revealed through a national victim services public awareness campaign including public service announcements, billboards and literature.

MADD launches its newest multimedia school assembly show, Backstage Pass , sponsored by Daimler Chrysler and its Road Ready Teens program. 

To encourage underage drinking prevention during prom season, MADD and The Chrysler Group kick off a 21-city tour with 21 mini-vans in April in Washington D.C. ending in Sacramento, CA in May.

In June, MADD announces Glynn Birch as its first-ever male national president in the organization's 25 year history.

MADD kicks off it's 25th anniversary public awareness campaign, "Celebrating Lives Like Yours" sponsored by State Farm, with a colorful poster and message that one of the more than 300,000 lives MADD has helped save since it's founding may be your own.

MADD commemorates the 21st anniversary of the 21 Minimum Drinking Age Law with a 21-city "National Night of Compliance" led by MADD's Youth In Action teams and law enforcement who conducted alcohol retailers stings to limit alcohol access to youth.