This article is not meant to either condone or disparage Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD). We can all agree that the safety of cyclists is improved when there fewer impaired drivers on the roads.
One way to reduce the number of impaired drivers is to provide transportation choices beyond cars. Impaired individuals on buses, light rail, bicycles, and foot don’t kill other people. (Of course, being impaired can make it easier to hurt yourself.)
A MADD newsletter concurs: “Europeans do have fewer alcohol-related traffic crashes, probably because they walk and take mass transit (such as the bus, train, or subway) much more often than Americans.”
So it seems MADD should be on board pushing public transit, Complete Streets, and more — but that doesn’t appear to be the case. It’s not part of their four part campaign to eliminate drunk driving nor have they taken any official positions on these topics.
It should be noted that five of their six platinum sponsors are automotive-related, including the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, General Motors, Nationwide Insurance, State Farm Insurance, and Toyota.
Does that take the any discussion of reducing vehicle use off the table?
But MADD is not alone on this. Michigan’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan makes the same oversight. None of their strategies to reduce alcohol/impaired driving involve making it easier for people to drive less.
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