Paige Carbone, regional executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), spoke to our club on October 24th via Zoom. She began her presentation with background information about MADD. Candace Lightner began the organization in the early 1980s with the intention of ending drunk & drugged driving as well as support for its victims.
MADD’s new slogan is “Impaired driving ends here.” They also have an annual walk, Walk Like MADD, which takes place at the FDR Park up in Yorktown.
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Among the things MADD does is policy advocacy work. One bill which they back is named Stephanie’s Law, formally known as Senate Bill S5092 and Assembly Bill A3181-A. It is currently before the New York State Legislature. The bill aims to expand the radius of paratransit services for people with disabilities from the current 3/4 of a mile to three miles. This would help individuals, including veterans, to access transportation for their daily activities and jobs.
The bill is named after Stephanie Speaker, a disabilities advocate who has been campaigning for this change for several years. It has gained support from various lawmakers but is still sitting in committee, awaiting further action.
MADD also provides programming for high school students in hundreds of schools in the area, among which is a program advocating abstinence on prom night. Their victim & survivor assistance programs include legal resources and reimbursements. They have trained speakers who visit schools and organizations like ours.
One question from the audience involved the DARE program, which also deals with drunk driving education but isn’t connected to MADD. Another question dealt with impaired driving due to drug use. Paige said that to be arrested for drug-impaired driving, the policeman has to name the drug he suspects was consumed by the driver.
