Staying Safe on the Road: Interview with Judy Utter of MADD

Earlier this month, we sat down with Judy Utter, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Victim Services Specialist, to talk about their victim services program and how to plan ahead for holiday celebrations.

What is MADD’s mission?

MADD’s mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and to prevent under aged drinking.

What services does MADD provide for victims of drunk driving?

Our victims’ services vary depending on what our victims need. First of all we provide information on community resources that can assist the victims’ specific needs or emergency funding, and we attend court with victims if they want to be involved in the judicial process. We also have lots of grief materials that help victims cope with the grief and the emotions that surround a DUI. We have support groups in many of our offices including Sacramento, and I have facilitated one here for about 20 years. We are just generally available to listen to the victims and help them move forward from the crash.

What preventative programs are offered for under aged drivers?

We have three main focuses for educating under aged drivers. First we have our “Power of Parents” program that helps parents con verse with their teen about the issue of drinking. We also have a “Power of Teens” program which helps teen understand the reasons why 21 is the legal drinking age. Lastly we have our “Start Making a Right Turn” program which help teens who are in a crisis or who are on the edge by interacting with the teen and parents together to help get them back to the right path.

What is something that most people don’t know about drunk driving?

Driving Safely During the Holidays

By Joe Farrow, Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol

The holiday season is upon us which typically comes with travel to celebrate with family and friends. This is a joyous time of year, but too often what we in law enforcement see amid the fun and frivolity, is tragedy that occurs as the result of poor decisions made behind the wheel.

Alcohol was the primary collision factor in more than a dozen fatal collisions and in numerous injury crashes during the 2011 holiday period.

Last year during the Christmas holiday, 14 people lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions; another 25 during the New Year’s holiday. Sadly, more than half of those killed in the jurisdiction patrolled by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) were not wearing seatbelts. While seatbelts may have saved the lives of these vehicle occupants, alcohol was the primary collision factor in more than a dozen fatal collisions and in numerous injury crashes during the 2011 holiday period. In each of those cases, someone chose to get behind the wheel of an automobile after having too much to drink. Victim advocates know all too well the heartache and grief that follows in these cases, and we are thankful the Victim Compensation Program is there to help surviving victims and family members of those who are killed in these senseless collisions.

The CHP and law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force again this holiday season to assist motorists and to prevent additional tragedies from occurring on our roadways. Each holiday season, law enforcement officers arrest hundreds of people who are driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. These motorists present a risk not only to themselves, but also to those sharing the roadway with them. The CHP, local law enforcement, the Office of Traffic Safety, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration are joining together in the coming days to remind motorists to keep safety in mind during the holidays.

Motorists can help keep the roads safe by following these simple steps:

• Always buckle up and secure children in a proper child safety seat.
• Never drink and drive. If you are going to celebrate, designate a driver, use public transportation or make arrangements to stay where you are for the night. Remember, alcohol impairs people differently, and even a small amount of alcohol may be enough for a motorist’s driving to be affected.
• Being sleepy or fatigued can have a similar effect on a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. If you are traveling long distances, plan ahead, and get plenty of rest before driving.
• Obey the traffic rules and drive defensively.
• If you see a suspected drunk driver on the road, call 911 to report the motorist to law enforcement.
• Finally, eliminate distractions inside the vehicle.

I wish you all happy holidays and safe travels wherever your celebration may take you.

---

On March 1, 2008, then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Joseph A. Farrow Commissioner of the CHP, and was later reappointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011. Currently, Commissioner Farrow commands more than 7,800 uniformed 3,600 non-uniformed, 700 senior volunteers, and 200 Explorer personnel, and oversees a budget of $1.9 billion.
Commissioner Farrow is recognized for his innovative leadership approach in public administration, such as implementing the California Law Enforcement Challenge, effecting the CHP’s accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, and creating an Office of Inspector General to ensure accountability and transparency of the Department.

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

The month of December brings many holiday celebrations that often include alcohol. Consequently, December tends to produce more than average intoxicated drivers carelessly sharing our roads.

In an effort to spread public awareness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and several other agencies have named December "National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month," a campaign created to educate the community about the seriousness of driving under the influence of substances and its devastating consequences.

Every time we drive, we are unfortunately faced with the possibility of falling victim to an impaired driver’s rash mistake. According to NHTSA, three out of every ten Americans will be involved in a motor vehicle accident involving drunk driving during their lives. Accidents related to drunk and drugged driving claim the lives of thousands of Americans every year and have become one of the deadliest crimes in America today. Impaired drivers continue to roam our streets and put the lives of our family and friends at risk.

In response, CalVCP has joined the campaign to spread public awareness. As an agency dedicated to assisting victims of crimes, we would like you to know that victims of drunk and drugged driving accidents are able to receive compensation through our program. CalVCP has helped 809 drunk and drugged driving victims and paid an estimated $2.8 million since January 2010. Our claimants received compensation that covered mental health treatment, income and support loss, medical bills, funeral costs, and rehabilitation.

CalVCP is committed to creating healthier communities and we would like to offer you ways to fight back against drunk and drugged driving. The NHTSA has provided tips for those hosting or attending holiday parties:

• Include a reminder about selecting a designated driver in your invitation.
• If you are going to serve alcohol, be certain to offer guests non-alcoholic drinks as well.
• Ensure that all guests leave with a sober driver; if necessary, call a taxi for a guest or even take their keys. Remember, “Friends don’t let friends drink and drive."
• Dial 911 if you see any suspicious drivers.

Please play your part this year in spreading awareness of drunk and drugged driving. And remember, don’t let drunk and drugged driving prevention be a seasonal concern; our communities should work together to help prevent these tragedies all year long.