May 2020 e-newsletter

100 Deadliest Days of Summer

Memorial Day begins the 100 deadliest days of summer, when teens are more likely to be involved in an impaired driving crash, not just as drivers but also as passengers. We are here to help parents prepare! You can

- Join us for an online workshop (below under events).
- Download free parent resources here.

- Listen to “Coffee with Rob” a video series with Dr. Robert Turrissi in which he discusses underage drinking and talking to teens on the MADD facebook page.
- Discuss this parent/teen agreement with your teen.

Are You Ok to Drive?

How many times have we all said that to a person who has been drinking?

In a recent publication, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation shared the results of a public opinion survey in which they asked U.S. drivers why they had driven when they thought they were over the legal BAC limit. The most common response BY FAR was they “thought they were okay to drive” (39.4%).

See graphic above. That response and the other reasons cited in the graphic are great reminders that alcohol impairs judgement, and that the worst person to judge if they are ok to drive, or what the alternatives are, is a person who has been drinking.

Congratulations to MADD VA Art Contest winner Madison Barnes

of Radford University who created this impactful graphic. Thank you Madison!

Events

“Power of Parents” Workshop via ZOOM
Join us for a free 30 minute parent workshop, Talking with Teens About Alcohol conducted via zoom. Contact crisiti.cousins@madd.org for login information. Download free parent handbooks here.

“Power of Youth” Workshop for Middle & High School aged Youth via ZOOM
MADD’s 40 minute interactive teen drinking prevention workshops conducted free. A great enrichment activity for Middle and High School aged kids learning at home! Email cristi.cousins@madd.org for login information. Take a 7 question quiz about underage drinking and download a free teen handbook here.

Impaired Driving in the News

4/17/20 Sean Thompson, 25, Charlotte County

Man Charged with DUI in Crash that killed Trucker

Many Car Crash Deaths Involve Alcohol Levels Below Legal Limit: Study

5/1/20 Ronald Krenisky, 59, Hampton

5/10/20 Sha’Lynn Da’Nyce Walker, Hampton

5/11/20 DUI Driver Crashes into House & Cars in Lynchburg

5/11/20 DUI and Multiple Charges in Norfolk Crash

5/17/20 Troy Lamont Burrell, 58, Hampton

5/18/20 Reston Man Charged with 2nd DUI After Loudoun Crash at 9:38am

Statistics show stay-at-home order has led to less DUIs in RVA

The National Office on Disease Control and Health Promotion has released a report: “The Role of Law and Policy in Reducing Deaths Attributable to Alcohol to Reach Healthy People’s Substance Abuse Goals in the United States." It includes a “Key Finding: Policy interventions, such as blood alcohol content (BAC) restrictions and ignition interlock laws, can reduce rates of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.”

MADD’s New Newsletter for Law Enforcement
MADD National now has a newsletter JUST for law enforcement. You can see the latest edition and archives here and sign up to receive it by email here.