The Rhode Island Affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving will host its annual Walk Like MADD" non-competitive 5K fundraising walk in Warwick City Park on June 4. The walk begins at 9:15 a.m. and will raise funds and rally"
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The Rhode Island Affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving will host its annual “Walk Like MADD” non-competitive 5K fundraising walk in Warwick City Park on June 4. The walk begins at 9:15 a.m. and will raise funds and rally support for MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.
“We walk to finish the job that was started by a grieving mother in 1980. Now in our 36th year, MADD has saved more than 300,000 lives and has served more than 300,000 victims,” said Eric Creamer, executive director of MADD RI.
He hopes that the timing of this event will help people make good decisions with Memorial Day, graduations and summer all around the same time as the walk.
Every year, more than 10,000 people are killed by drunk drivers. Another 290,000 are injured. Two out of every three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. The statistics are mounting, and Creamer hopes the walk will increase public awareness.
The BATMobile, MetLife Catastrophe RV and food trucks will all be at the walk. There will be free food and drinks, as well as giveaways and raffles with cash prizes. MetLife’s Snoopy may even make an appearance.
Among a little less than a dozen sponsors is Uber, the online transportation network company. They’re one of MADD’s national partners. Creamer said the organization is trying to involve them at a local level, and as a transportation company they want to promote safe driving.
Safe driving, is essentially MADD RI’s mission. They formed in 1983 after Pauline Allard lost her 16-year-old daughter, Denise, to a preventable drunk driving accident. Since then, they have worked to pass the state’s 21-year-old drinking age and the .08 blood alcohol content limit.
With the funds from the walk, they hope to work with legislators to adopt tougher laws and provide support to law enforcement.
One of their goals is to pass legislation that would require ignition interlocks for all DUI offenders. An interlock is a mechanism similar to a Breathalyzer where the driver must provide a breath sample before starting the vehicle.
They also hope to use the funds to provide emotional support and assistance with medical and legal struggles that follow a drunk driving accident. Additionally, they plan to conduct awareness and research based prevention programs to stop drunk driving and underage drinking.
Event registration and more information can be found on their website, www.walklikemadd.org/rhodeisland.
3 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Justanidiot
Darn, that conflicts with the drive for drunk walking.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Mr. Justanidiot,
I have GOT to meet you!
In fact, if you walk I will join you.
Call me at 401-338-9900.
Thanks.
Richard Corrente
Democrat for mayor
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 Report this
Justanidiot
unfortunately, I do not really exist. I am a figment of your imagination. If you can read my comments, you should seek help.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 Report this