Post job

Mothers Against Drunk Driving company history timeline

1980

The organization was formed on May 7, 1980, and since, it has quickly grown in size.

In 1980, the group was noticed by Frank R. Lautenberg, a United States Senator.

1981

In 1981 MADD exploded nationwide as volunteers picked up picket signs and marched in front of state capitols to get new drunk driving laws passed.

1982

President Ronald Reagan created the Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving on April 14, 1982.

1983

At the office grand opening in Hurst of September 1983, then-Democratic House Majority Leader Jim Wright attended and announced his support of the 21 Minimum Drinking Age Act.

1983: MADD relocates its headquarters to Texas.

In the spring of 1983, NBC aired a made-for-TV movie called “The Candy Lightner Story,” which bolstered attention of the issue.

1984

In July of 1984, MADD makes a conscious and deliberate decision to change its name from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers to Mothers Against Drunk Driving… to signal that the organization is against the action, not the person.

A major milestone happened on July 17, 1984… the 21 minimum drinking age is signed into Federal law.

An important name change took place in 1984, when the group began calling itself Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

1985

In 1985, Lon G. von Hurwitz produced the public-service video "Don't Drive Drunk" starring Stevie Wonder.

In 1985, Lightner objected to the shifting focus of MADD, and left her position with the organization.

1986

Project Red Ribbon, known today as Tie One On For Safety, launches in 1986.

MADD's earliest known usage of "designated driver" is in 1986.

1988

By 1988, this act created a uniform age limit for alcohol consumption across the country.

1989

In 1989, MADD Canada was founded.

1990

PRIDE became MADD Canada in 1990.

Revenues, largely achieved through telemarketing, were about $50 million in 1990.

1991

The national office lost $1 million on a botched grocery store coupon book giveaway in 1991, reported the Wall Street Journal.

MADD released its first "Rating the States" report, grading the states in their progress against drunk driving, in 1991. "Rating the States" has been released four times since then.

1992

By 1992, 41 states and the District of Columbia had adopted a BAC of 0.10 as the legal measure of intoxication.

1993

Hurwitz would become the organization's chairman in 1993.

Nationwide revenues fell 22 percent, to $40 million, in fiscal 1993, leading to a desperate shortfall for the head office.

In 1993, Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert and Leeza Gibbons co-host “Hollywood Gets MADD,” a 30-minute infomercial that explored the problem of drinking and driving and how Hollywood's attitude toward drunk driving, as reflected in its movies, has changed over the years.

1994

In early 1994, MADD founder Candace Lightner began working for the Berman & Co. lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the American Beverage Institute.

A telemarketing blitz raised revenues to $47.7 million in fiscal 1994, but the $1 million deficit nearly tripled.

In 1994, The Chronicle of Philanthropy released the results of the largest study of charitable and non-profit organization popularity and credibility.

1995

The Michigan office filed a lawsuit to prevent this in February 1995.

1996

1996: MADD expands its mission to take on underage drinking.

1997

The National Restaurant Association (NRA), MADD's longtime lobbying opponent, was its partner in a 1997 designated driver effort.

During this period in 1997, 250 people were killed by drunk drivers; these were mourned in national advertising that also noted a high-profile loss overseas: the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, whose driver had been profoundly intoxicated.

By 1997, the Department of Transportation announces it will remove the term “accident” in all of its communication and asks the public to remove it from its vocabulary.

1998

In 1998, with support from MADD members, "Zero Tolerance" legislation was passed in all 50 states.

1999

In 1999, MADD's National Board of Directors unanimously voted to change the organization's mission statement to include the prevention of underage drinking.

2000

In 2000, after years of lobbying, President Clinton signed legislation that would effectively lower the legal blood alcohol level in the US to .08.

2001

MADD releases its second registered logo in 2001.

2002

MADD's national president was Millie I. Webb in 2002.

2003

MADD. Available online at <www.madd.org> (accessed July 28, 2003).

2004

As a result of MADD’s perseverance, persistence and heart for victims, .08 finally passes in all 50 states by 2004.

2005

Current goals include reducing alcohol-related traffic fatalities to 11,000 or fewer by the year 2005.

Chuck Hurley became MADD CEO in 2005.

2006

When the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving is unveiled in 2006, New Mexico is the only state that has passed an all-offender ignition interlock law.

2008

MADD has been a part of this permanent exhibit since the Newseum’s grand opening in 2008.

2010

MADD announces a new partnership with the NFL in 2010 with a game-day program asking fans to designate a non-drinking driver.

2011

MADD updates it’s logo in 2011… the organizations third registered logo in its history.

2012

Earle left to become the president of a new foundation of Sanford Health in January 2012, the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation.

2015

By June of 2015, MADD helps to pass all-offender ignition interlock laws in 25 states, the most recent state being Texas.

2019

In 2019 MADD Brazil was founded.

2021

Officer Landrum was the National Association of State Boating Law Enforcement Administrator’s (NASBLA) 2021 Operation Dry Water…

Work at Mothers Against Drunk Driving?
Share your experience
Founded
1980
Company founded
Headquarters
Irving, TX
Company headquarter
Founders
Candace Lightner
Company founders
Get updates for jobs and news

Rate Mothers Against Drunk Driving's efforts to communicate its history to employees.

Zippia waving zebra

Mothers Against Drunk Driving jobs

Do you work at Mothers Against Drunk Driving?

Is Mothers Against Drunk Driving's vision a big part of strategic planning?

Mothers Against Drunk Driving history FAQs

Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and its employees or that of Zippia.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving may also be known as or be related to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (madd).