MADD Victim Support Service

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MADD Victim Support Service – A Ray of Light!

May 6, 2010
Author: Chris M. Alexander

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Victim Support Services are a ray of light. This non-profit organization that seeks to stop drunk driving, and support those affected by drunk driving is based out of Irving, Texas. It was founded in the 1980’s the founder’s 13-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver.

The Goals of MADD

To inform people about the harms of drinking and driving and helping victim assistance
Advocating stronger laws such as raising the illegal blood alcohol content to .08% or higher and tougher punishments for DUI offenders, like automatic jail time, forced treatment for alcoholism and license suspensions
Assisting those harmed by drunk driving (like family members and other loved ones of both innocent victims and guilty impaired drivers).
Preserving the minimum drinking age at 21 years
The using of alcohol breath testing ignition interlock devices (IIDs) when driver are convicted of DUI.

MADD’s Victim Support Services

MADD promotes victim impact panels (VIPs), this means a judge is required to hear victims or the kin of victims of DUI accidents tell their story. MADD got over $3,000,000 in 2004 from VIPs. A lot of this money was given freely by those witnessing in VIPs. A few states, including Massachusetts, allow victims of crimes, even DUI crashes, to give VIPs before the sentencing so that juries and judges can know the impact on victims in deciding on a sentence a person receives. The stories are very emotional, contain details, are graphic, and focus on the terrible negative effect of driving while intoxicated and alcohol caused accidents. The John Howard Society says that some studies show that permitting people to make statements and to give testimony has a psychologically benefit for them and help with their recovery and in their feelings about the criminal justice system.

MADD’s Impact on Drunk Driving Laws

Previously, MADD was really occupied with trying to lower the legal limit for blood alcohol from BAC .10 to BAC .08. In 2000, this level was approved by the House of Representatives and before 2006, all states had an illegal .08 BAC limit. MADD in Canada is asking for a maximum legal BAC of .05. MADD leaders have supported a limit like this, MADD in the United States has not yet officially asked for a legal limit of .05.

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