As families fire up the grill, hit the highway, and head out on the water for Memorial Day weekend, MADD encourages everyone to make safety part of their plans. The long weekend marks the unofficial start of summer and the launch of MADD’s “Safe Summer” campaign, a season-long effort to prevent impaired driving, protect teens, and keep the roads and waterways safe.
With three days of celebrations, travel, and outdoor fun, Memorial Day weekend often leads to a rise in impaired driving crashes. In 2022, drunk driving claimed 215 lives, accounting for 43% of all traffic fatalities, during the Memorial Day holiday period, according to NHTSA.
MADD’s Memorial Day & “Safe Summer” Tips
1. Make a Plan Ahead of Time. Whether you’re heading out to a BBQ, beach trip, or boat excursion, figure out how you’re getting home safe before the drinks start flowing. Use a rideshare app, designate a sober driver, or make a plan to take public transportation. Don’t wait until the last minute to make a decision!
2. Boating or Using Recreational Vehicles? Don’t Drive Impaired. A boat is a vehicle, and so are jet skis, golf carts, ATVs, and bikes. Alcohol is the leading factor in fatal boating crashes, and boaters are likely to become impaired faster than drivers, thanks to motion, sun, vibration, and engine noise, which intensify alcohol’s effects. Avoid alcohol entirely when operating any vehicle, on land or water.
3. Always Wear a Life Jacket. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 85% of people who drowned in recreational boating incidents were not wearing life jackets. Wearing a life jacket is one of the simplest ways to stay safe on the water.
4. Heading to a Concert or Festival? Plan Ahead. Summer concerts and music festivals are all about good vibes, but many take place in remote areas with limited transportation options. If you plan to drink or use substances, don’t risk driving. Use a rideshare app, designate a sober driver, or find out if the venue offers shuttles or public transit. Do your research ahead of time so you’re not stranded later. And go with friends who look out for each other, make a group pact to get home safe.
5. Talk to Your Teens About Making Safe Choices. Summer break means more young drivers on the road and a higher risk of crashes involving teens. Parents play a critical role in keeping them safe. Start the conversation early about the dangers of underage drinking, peer pressure, and the importance of making smart choices behind the wheel. MADD’s Power of Parents Handbook offers proven tools to help guide those conversations.
6. Be a Proactive Host. Hosting a Memorial Day party? Think ahead to help your guests get home safely. Make sure there are non-alcoholic drink options, encourage designated drivers, help people book a rideshare, or offer a place to crash if needed. A little planning goes a long way.
7. Drive Defensively and Report Impaired Driving. Even if you’re sober, others may not be. Buckle up, drive defensively, and expect the unexpected, especially near lakes, beaches, and party zones. If you spot someone driving impaired, don’t stay silent. Call 911. One call could save a life.
Law Enforcement Will Be on High Alert
As celebrations ramp up, so will increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints nationwide. A DUI arrest can cost thousands of dollars, lead to a suspended license, jail time, or worse—irreversible consequences if someone is injured or killed.
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