Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is more than just a bunch of angry moms. They're real people, moms, dads, young people, and other individuals determined to stop drunk driving and to support victims of this violent crime. MADD keeps track of statistics and laws concerning drunken and impaired driving by state.

MADD was founded by Ms. Lightner and a group of California women in 1980 after her 13-year-old daughter was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The drunk driver had been out of jail on bail for only two days for another hit-and-run drunk driving crash and had three previous drunk driving arrests and two convictions. He was allowed to plea bargain to vehicular manslaughter. Although he was sentenced to two years in prison, the judge allowed the offender to serve time in work camp and later a halfway house.
http://www.madd.org/

The Brain: 101 by Scott Swartzwelder, Ph.D.,DRIVEN magazine, Fall 1998 Address: "The developing brain is different from the adult brain in its ability to change in response to experience. For example, the young brain appears to be "built to learn." This uniqueness of the adolescent brain creates great opportunities."

21 Law
This website is dedicated to 21 Law in an effort to publicize the research supporting MADDs stance in the national debate on the 21 Minimum Drinking Age. The site offers information on how alcohol affects the teen brain, the realities of underage drinking, facts to common myths and a history of the drinking age law. There are also tips for parents, educators, and communities on preventing underage drinking.
http://www.why21.org

MADD Validates Victims
Kunen, James S., Reckless disregard: corporate greed, government indifference, and the Kentucky school bus crash, Simon & Schuster, c1994, 379 p. The true story of the 1988 Kentucky bus crash in which a drunk driver killed more than 25 children and adults. Karolyn Nunnallee and Jane Fair both lost daughters killed in the crash. Their story includes lawsuits against Ford Motor Company and Sheller-Globe manufacturers of the school buses and chassis which contributed to the loss of life through placement of an unprotected fuel tank near the door.

Marshall, Mac; Oleson, Alice; "MADDer than hell," QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH, February, 1996, 6 (1): 6-23.

updated 08/07/10