National Press Release

Drunk Driving Costs More Than Just Lives.

DENVER, March 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Even the blizzard warning didn't keep people away from the MADD Colorado kick-off of the 2009 Walk Like MADD campaign at the Pepsi Center today. Denver's 4th Annual Walk Like MADD event helps raise money and awareness to support MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which calls for lifesaving alcohol ignition interlocks for all drunk drivers, sobriety checkpoints and/or saturation patrols, community support and the development and exploration of advanced technologies that will one day make a vehicle inoperable by a drunk driver.

Walk Like MADD is a 5K non-competitive family walk that raises funds to support MADD's mission of eliminating drunk driving, supporting victims and their families, and preventing underage drinking. The 2009 Walk Like MADD 5K event, which will take place Saturday, August 1, 2009 at Sloan's Lake Park, is expected to grow in overall attendance by 50% and has an increased fundraising goal of 63% over 2008. "We know that reaching our fundraising goal for the 2009 Denver Walk Like MADD is ambitious," said Emily Tompkins, MADD Colorado, State Executive Director. "But we believe it is an investment we all must make to protect Colorado's future, free of preventable deaths and injuries. We all pay the price for others' choice to drink and drive, whether you have lost a loved one, been injured, or are a taxpayer who helps to pay the billions of dollars annually that alcohol-related crashes cost our society. "

Drunk driving threatens all of us. One in three people will be personally involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime. In addition to the emotional toll that these preventable deaths and injuries take on victim/ survivors, there is also a fiscal impact to our society. The National Highway Safety Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that over $100 billion is spent on drunk driving in the United States annually and the average alcohol-related fatality in the United States costs taxpayers $3.5 million. For nearly 30 years, MADD has helped save over 330,000 lives - but still people continue to die and be injured by this violent crime. In Colorado in 2007, 226 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes; of these, 170 people were killed in drunk driving crashes where the driver had a BAC of .08 or higher. Countless others were seriously injured. Just this past St. Patrick's DUI Enforcement period in Colorado, a record setting 661 DUI arrests were made and 4 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes.

The timing for the launch of the Walk Like MADD campaign is significant because this is the season of intensive, high-visibility enforcement. Walk Like MADD is a call to action to support MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, one key initiative of which is to support intensive high-visibility law enforcement. During this heightened enforcement time, as well as throughout the year, MADD Colorado works with law enforcement by providing support to nearly 150 Sobriety Checkpoints because Checkpoints are proven to save lives. Studies have consistently found that the societal savings from checkpoints significantly outweigh the initial investment. According the NHTSA, every $1 invested in checkpoints returns $23 in savings, such as medical costs. Anyone can help eliminate drunk driving by registering for Walk Like MADD to raise money for MADD Colorado to continue to support law enforcement's efforts and all of MADD Colorado's programs and victim services that keep our children and communities safe.

MADD's goal is to eliminate drunk driving so no families will have to face the tragedy of needless deaths and injuries of their loved ones. "After all the headlines are gone and our story is replaced in the papers and on TV by yet another unnecessary alcohol crash, we have to deal with the daily anguish of losing Adam," said Steve Neyer, MADD volunteer/victim survivor and American Family Insurance Agent. Every step taken and every pledge made to Walk Like MADD provides funding and awareness to support MADD's life-saving mission and takes us all steps closer to a nation without drunk driving. "American Family Insurance is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor for the Colorado Walk Like MADD," said Ranger Duran, Agency Sales Vice President for American Family. "As an insurance company we've seen the devastating injuries and trauma to victims and their families as a result of drunk-driving crashes. This sponsorship is our commitment to support MADD in its mission to make our roadways safer and to eliminate drunk driving throughout Colorado." NHTSA estimates that reducing alcohol-related crashes by 10 percent would save $1.8 billion in insurance claims payments and loss adjustment expenses alone. The lives that would be saved and injuries prevented are invaluable.

At today's kick-off, Walk Like MADD team captains, top walkers, and volunteers heard from elected officials and other supporters about the grave consequences of drunk driving and the importance of MADD's mission. "As MADD Colorado's 2009 Statewide Sponsor, we're honored to be a part of this remarkable organization," says Darin L. Schanker, founding partner at the law firm of Bachus & Schanker, LLC. "As a personal injury law firm we've seen not only the devastating injuries and trauma that victims of drunk driver crashes suffer, but we've also seen the financial toll due to costly medical expenses and lost wages that can be equally devastating to the victims and their families. It is our directive as MADD Colorado Statewide Sponsor and as a returning Walk Like MADD sponsor to continue our support, not only as a financial contributor, but also by the firm's participation at the walk to show our support for the invaluable programs and victim services provided by MADD."

Walk Like MADD is an opportunity for individuals and teams to improve their health and help their community at the same time by raising funds and awareness for MADD Colorado's efforts to eliminate drunk driving and support the victims of drunk driving crashes. Corporations and families can form teams or participate as individuals and are asked to raise at least $100 each through donations. All funds raised through Walk Like MADD stay in Colorado for MADD's programs and services.

Interested in participating? There are three options: 1) If you live in the area of Denver's Walk Like MADD, you can register to walk or form a team; 2) If you are unable to make Denver's Walk Like MADD on August 1st, you can sign up to raise money as a virtual walker, anywhere and anytime; or 3) You can give a one-time donation to Denver's Walk. Please visit www.walklikemadd.org to register, donate or get more information.

The 2009 Walk Like MADD Sponsors are generously supporting MADD Colorado's Walk: Presenting Sponsor - American Family Insurance; MADD Colorado Statewide Sponsor - the law firm of Bachus and Schanker; and Health and Safety Fair Sponsor - King Soopers. The 2009 Walk Like MADD kickoff is sponsored by Net Builders, Inc. of Lakewood, CO.

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

Walk Like MADD Event Information for Saturday, August 1, 2009

WHAT: Walk Like MADD

MADD Colorado's 5K, non-competitive awareness and fund-raising event

Walk, Run, Cycle or Roll your way around the Park!

WHEN: Saturday, August 1, 2009

Registration Begins - 7:30 a.m.

Opening Ceremonies - 8:30 a.m.

Walk Begins - 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Sloan's Lake Park

Corner of 17th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard

Denver, CO

Founded in 1980, MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, grassroots organization with approximately 400 affiliates and 2 million members and supporters nationwide. For more information about MADD's Campaign To Eliminate Drunk Driving and Walk Like MADD, please visit www.madd.org/co and www.walklikemadd.org.

SOURCE Mothers Against Drunk Driving Colorado