AAA, MADD and Waymo Urge Sober Driving During Holidays as Drunk Driving Deaths Rise

MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — AAA, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) and autonomous vehicle company Waymo are joining forces this December to urge drivers to plan sober rides during the holiday season — one of the most dangerous times of year on U.S. roadways. The reminder coincides with Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a national effort focused on reducing alcohol-related crashes.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving crashes claimed 4,931 lives during the December months of 2019–2023, including 1,038 deaths in December 2023 alone.

“Impaired driving is a preventable crisis, and AAA remains dedicated to helping turn the tide to make roads safer,” said Gene Boehm, President and CEO of AAA, Inc. He noted that winter weather and increased holiday travel heighten roadway risks.

MADD CEO Stacey D. Stewart emphasized the shared mission. “Ending impaired driving requires a collective movement, with each of us playing a part,” she said. “AAA’s commitment to road safety and Waymo’s tech-forward approach align nicely with MADD’s mission.”

AAA and MADD have launched a broader long-term partnership aiming to reduce impaired driving deaths by 20% within five years.

As part of its collaboration with MADD, Waymo is offering a $5 discount for the first 2,500 redemptions of the code SAFEHOLIDAYS, valid through New Year’s Eve in Waymo-operated markets: San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

“We are thrilled to partner with MADD in a shared commitment to keeping our roads safe,” said Tekedra Mawakan, Co-CEO of Waymo. “Our fully autonomous vehicles are designed with multiple safety features to protect passengers and everyone on the roads.”

NHTSA data shows the impaired driving crisis continues to worsen. More than 13,000 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2023 for the second consecutive year, representing a 22% increase since 2019. MADD notes that someone in the U.S. is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 85 seconds.

The organization also highlights the importance of new anti-impaired driving vehicle technology mandated by the HALT Drunk Driving Law, which Congress passed in 2021. MADD says the required systems could save more than 10,000 lives each year once fully implemented.