Each year nationally, more than 1,000 people typically die during Christmas Eve to New Year’s in drunk driving crashes and more than 2,000 are killed in drunk driving crashes and/or crashes where safety belts were not used.
Started in 1986, MADD’s premier public awareness campaign, “Tie One on for Safety,” celebrates its 21st anniversary.
The red ribbon is a symbol of the driver’s pledge to drive safe, sober and buckled up. Holiday drivers display a MADD red ribbon in a visible location on their vehicles to show family, friends and loved ones they support safer roads free from drunk driving. It also reminds other drivers and passengers to do the same.
How can you Support MADD Georgia’s “Tie One on for Safety” campaign? Display a red ribbon in a visible location on your vehicle. Red ribbons are available through local MADD chapters.
Contact your Effingham Chapter of MADD by calling the director, Sonya Cooler, at 754-3236.
Be an active participant in MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving by hosting parties responsibly. Offer “mocktails” and other non-alcoholic beverage, and provide alternate transportation or accommodations for guests who have been drinking. And always remember to designate a non-drinking driver before drinking begins.
Ribbons are available for easy pick-up at various locations. Call Cooler to see how you can volunteer for this worthy cause.
Another major concern that MADD is actively pursuing is the use of alcohol by underage drinkers. Please make sure while hosting parties that alcoholic beverages are observed closely if minors are present.
MADD has never stated that alcoholic beverages should not be consumed responsibly by adults. MADD’s only purpose is to remind the public of the dangers of alcohol use while operating a vehicle on our highways.
It only takes one mistake to cause a tragic crash and paralyze an innocent person for life or kill an innocent person while drinking and driving. And the least thought of danger would be that of taking one’s own life by operating a vehicle while drinking.
Locations that the general public may pick up a ribbon from the boxes placed in the front lobbies are as follows:
• Georgia State Patrol office, Highway 21, Rincon (Thanks asst. post commander Ruffin);
• Effingham County Sheriff’s Department, Highway 21, Springfield (Thanks Chief Deputy Richard Bush);
• Springfield Police Department, Laurel Street, Springfield (Thanks clerk Wendy Sherrod and Chief Paul Wynn);
• Rincon Police Department, W. 17th Street, Rincon (Thanks Chief David Schofield);
• Guyton Police Department, Magnolia Street, Guyton (Thanks clerk Rhonda Wells and Chief Randy Alexander)
• Goin’ Postal, Fort Howard Square, Rincon (Thanks Debbie Reynolds for calling and offering your service as a location distributor);
• First Effingham Bank of Springfield, Laurel Street, Springfield (Thanks Debbie and the rest of the staff).
Thanks so much to the Effingham Herald for the printing of this PSA in the paper to help get the word out (Thanks Karen and Patrick).
The ribbons are being graciously distributed to teen drivers and staff at Effingham County High School, Highway 119, Springfield (Thanks to principal Yancy Ford and assistant principal Tim Hood), as well as to teen drivers and staff at South Effingham High School, Highway 30, Guyton (Thanks principal Dan Noel).
Students will be read a PSA during morning announcements about the dangers of teen drivers and passengers in hopes of prevention of underage drinking and driving.
Therefore, MADD would like to extend a very Merry Christmas for 2007 and a Happy New Year for 2008 to everyone. Please drink responsibly and always have a designated driver in place before you celebrate. Remember, the life you save may very well be your own.
