The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has announced it will administer a $378,000 grant involving Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) California. The grant will boost community outreach efforts by MADD to help reduce impaired driving and lower the number of Californians killed or injured in DUI crashes.
The grant was awarded to ABC by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Through this grant, ABC and MADD California will partner together to reduce impaired driving in California. Additionally, MADD will educate the public about impaired driving in the effort to reduce driving deaths and injuries.
“MADD California is happy to work in collaboration with ABC and OTS to help end impaired driving, prevent underage drinking, and educate California communities about the perils of drunk and drugged driving," said Patricia Rillera, MADD California State Executive Director. "We appreciate the confidence ABC and OTS bestows upon MADD California to carry out its vision.”
MADD California brings awareness to students and DUI offenders about the consequences and impact of impaired driving through collaboration with educational leaders and institutions, public forums for students, and parents. MADD California also facilitates volunteer speakers who share their personal stories to a variety of audiences. They also use other tools to enhance educational efforts such as distributing educational materials to the community at public venues, and providing information to the public.
“ABC is committed to this educational effort by MADD to make the highways, roads, and streets safer in California," said ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith.
MADD California works closely with safety groups whose mission can assist in the battle to eliminate impaired driving. The grant program activities will run through September 30, 2020.
ABC’s mission is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of the State through licensing, education, and enforcement. ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.