WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) urges everyone celebrating Cinco de Mayo to designate a non-drinking driver to get them home safely. Historically, about one-third of all crashes on May 5 involve a drunk driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In 2019, 47 people died in drunk driving crashes during Cinco de Mayo, accounting for 38% of all traffic deaths, according to NHTSA.
“If you’re heading out on Cinco de Mayo, please plan ahead for a non-drinking designated driver,” said MADD National President Alex Otte. “Our simple message is to celebrate with a plan. If you drink, don’t drive.”
Drunk driving is the leading killer on America’s roads, claiming the lives of 10,142 people in 2019, the most recent data available from NHTSA. In addition, the increasing threat of drivers combining both marijuana and alcohol leads to greater impairment and a greater risk of getting into a crash.
“Over the past year, we have seen an increase in alcohol and drug-impaired driving crashes despite a decrease in traffic,” Otte said. “We want to make sure that as people return to their normal activities that they make the choice to keep themselves and everyone around them safe by never driving while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.”
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 400,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.
