Mothers Against Drunk Driving
John Frame
BSHS/355
December 08, 2013
Dr. Dian Allen
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
The tragic deaths of two little girls was the spark that inspired a worldwide movement which has altered our social consciousness and resulted in laws and policies that serve to protect the public safety. Founded in 1980, Mothers Against Drunk Driving became a not for profit organization that that works to eliminate drunk driving and support the people who have been affected by this horrible and senseless crime. ("Madd", 2013). Because of such overwhelming support for MADD, the organization has been able to influence social policy and impact the delivery of these policies on human services.
The Creation of MADD, the Problem that Led to its Founding, and Identifying Drunk Driving as a Social Problem
The creation of Mothers Against Drunk Driving was motivated by the deaths of two innocent little girls, their names were Cari Lightner and Laura Lamb. May third, 1980 was a warm and sunny day in Fair Oaks, California. Cari Lightner was walking with her friend to go spend some time at a nearby church carnival when she was struck and killed by a 47 year old man who had been on a three day drinking binge and had already been charged with driving under the influence just moths earlier. Candace Lightner, Cari’s mother, was horrified beyond belief when she discovered that there was little likelihood that the man who killed her daughter would go to jail. Driven by a burning desire to end drunk driving, Candace Lightner formed Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Five and a half month old infant Laura Lamb was the center of the second tragedy that fueled the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers social movement. November tenth, 1979 was a cold and dreary day in Maryland and little Laura Lamb was riding in the car with her mother as they drove to the grocery store to buy the weeks food for the family. As they traveled a rural country road they were...