Mothers Against Drunk Driving of East Tennessee, or MADD, and victims of vehicle crashes will have their annual candle light vigil in Oak Ridge on Saturday, December 6.
The vigil is for those who have died or been injured in senseless vehicle crashes, a press release said.
“Anyone who has been hurt or lost someone through a vehicle crash is invited to attend, in addition to community members who would like to offer support,” the press release said. “Some victims have been injured themselves, know someone who has been hurt, or have lost a loved one to this preventable crime. Those harmed through a crash induced by impaired driving should bring a photograph of them self or loved one that has been killed or suffered in a crash.”
MADD said it also wants to remind Tennessee adults to plan ahead for a designated non-drinking driver if they’re planning to drink alcohol during the holiday season’s festivities. MADD’s annual Tie One On For Safety campaign, sponsored by National Presenting Sponsor Nationwide, urges drivers to display a red ribbon on their cars as a reminder to plan ahead for a designated non-drinking driver, and in support of law enforcement crackdown efforts.
After the vigil, refreshments will be served, and MADD will be distributing red ribbons for vigil attendees to display on their vehicles, the release said.
The candle light vigil starts at 6 p.m. Saturday at Oak Ridge Baptist Church at 1451 Bethel Valley Road.
The following people will be in attendance:
- Carole Minear, MADD representative;
- Jack and Mary Lou, MADD volunteers/victims of drunk driving; and
- other victims and their families.
The vigil will commemorate those who suffered needless injuries or death in vehicle crashes, the release said.
Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve in 2012 (the most recent year for which the MADD chapter has national data), 1,091 people were killed in drunk driving crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. New Year’s Day (after all the midnight toasts on New Year’s Eve) is the deadliest day of the year for drunk driving, the release said. A total of 140 people were killed by drunk driving crashes during the New Year’s Holiday in 2012 (December 30, 2011-January 03, 2012).
For more information, contact Kate Ritchie at (615) 360-8055, extension 4758, or kate.ritchie@madd.org; or Carole Minear at (865) 522-5005, extension 4761, or carole.minear@madd.org.
For more information on Tie One On For Safety, visit madd.org/toofs.
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