Get Ready to Walk Like MADD to Eliminate Drunk Driving

Raleigh's 5K Walk Helps Create Safer Roadways by Asking Walkers to Support the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving

RALEIGH, N.C., March 24, 2009; Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will host Walk Like MADD 5K, noncompetitive fundraising walk in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28th. The walk begins at 8 a.m. at NCSU Centennial Campus and will raise funds and rally support for MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

"We aim to eliminate drunk driving and we need support from the community on walk day to do just that," said Craig Lloyd - MADD State Executive Director.

Funds raised help further MADD's life-saving mission and the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which calls for alcohol ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders; highly-visible, highly-publicized law enforcement; community support; and the development of advanced vehicle-based technologies. The timing for Walk Like MADD is significant because MADD North Carolina is working on introducing a bill on interlock Legislation.

"Drunk driving impacts every community around the nation, and unfortunately, it can touch your life without any warning," said Craig Lloyd. "Through these walks, MADD is bringing together families, friends and neighbors to raise funds and awareness to make our roadways safer."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2007, North Carolina had 487 people killed in traffic crashes involving a driver or a motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Nationally, NHTSA reported that 12,998 people were killed in crashes that involved a driver at or above .08 BAC in 2007. Each year, nearly half a million others are injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes.

Interested in participating? There are three options: 1. If you live in the area of a walk event, you can register to walk or form a team; 2. If you are unable to make one of the walks, you can sign up to raise money as a virtual walker, anywhere and anytime; or 3. you can give a one-time donation to the walks. Please visit www.walklikeMADD.org to register, donate or get more information.

To learn more about MADD or to receive free victim services, please visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-MADD-HELP.