DUI and MADD

MADD was founded by Candy Lightner in 1980 after"neo-prohibitionist" organization targeting alcohol rather
the death of her 13 year old daughter by a repeat DUIthan the problem of drunk driving. The new mission of
offender. She organized the group to combat theMADD had grown into being an ever-increasing hard
problem of drunk driving.line stance against the consumption of alcohol
MADD's initial mission was to stop DUI and/or drunkregardless of whether or not it had anything to do with
driving from occurring (prevention), support the victims,driving.
and prevent underage drinking; which they did aEver since then MADD has gone on to legislate
tremendous job at. MADD successfully made ouragainst alcohol and has consistently pushed for
nations highways a bit safer by targeting repeat DUIprohibitionist actions rather than concentrating on the
offenders and chronic alcohol abusers who insisted onproblem of drunk driving. There has been much to say
driving regardless of the consequences.about the MADD's influence on the federal
After a few years MADD became one of the mostgovernment and the dollars that flow between the
powerful political action/advocacy groups in Americatwo. MADD is a huge financial and political powerhouse
and got the attention of the United States. The moneywith a lot of 'pull' on criminal law statutes throughout the
soon followed from the federal government and thenation.
organization grew into a huge lobbying and politicalOverall the organization has done a lot of good for our
platform. The agenda and mission of MADD soonnations highways but they have also certainly changed
began to change as the money and power took over.goals over the years. Some say the current mission of
In the year 1985, just 5 years after founding theMADD is not serving the people of the United States
organization MADD, the founder Candy Lightner leftor making our nations roadways safer but merely
the organization criticizing the group for becoming acreating revenue and political careers.