DALLAS, TEXAS—June 30, 2023—To advance the shared goal of safer roadways, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) has teamed up with Cruise, a leader in advancing autonomous vehicles to improve road safety. Across the U.S., someone is killed or injured by a drunk driver every 79 seconds, and the new partnership aims to promote safety education and advocacy to help reverse this alarming trend.
MADD and Cruise are making this announcement in advance of the July 4th weekend, when deaths from drunk driving-related crashes can surge 39%, making the holiday a time when Americans should take extra steps to plan ahead for safer travel.
“For millions of Americans, July 4th celebrations include alcohol—and that means they also should include plans to get home safely. On this holiday and every day of the year, Cruise is providing another option: the choice to ride with technology that is never even a little tipsy, high, or drowsy,” said MADD National President Tess Rowland. “We are grateful to Cruise for their partnership and inspired by technology’s potential to ensure nobody needs to worry about the potentially reckless behavior of drivers around them. Together, we can create a nation where there are No More Victims.”
Two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime, resulting in injuries and deaths that are entirely preventable. Nighttime is particularly dangerous, representing just 25% of miles driven but 50% of road fatalities.
“With more than 13,000 lives lost each year to drunk driving, we know that autonomous vehicles – which don’t drive under the influence, don’t get drowsy, and don’t text while driving – can and will save lives and reduce collisions on the road,” said Mariah Ray, Director of Public Affairs at Cruise. “We couldn’t be more proud to partner with MADD in our shared and urgent mission to make our roads safer, and stop this epidemic of preventable deaths in our communities.”
While impaired driving impacts people of every age, July 4th is one of the “100 Deadliest Days,” a period that runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day and sees more than 30% of deaths involving teen drivers, many related to alcohol.
If you, or someone you love, has been the victim of impaired driving, support is available 24 hours a day via the MADD Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435) or www.MADD.org.
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 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. For more information or to make a donation, visit us at https://madd.org/ and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About Cruise
Cruise is an all-electric self-driving technology company with a mission to build the world’s most advanced autonomous vehicles (AVs) to safely connect people to the places, things, and experiences they care about. Learn more on our website at GetCruise.com.
Contact: Kim Pucci, MADD
[email protected]
