Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) CEO Stacey D. Stewart announced that MADD and Uber have launched a fundraising campaign during Impaired Driving Prevention Month to support prevention, advocacy, and victim services. The statement was posted on the MADD website on December 17.
"With the holiday season in full swing, we're honored to partner with Uber to rally their riders — and communities across the nation — in the fight against impaired driving," said D. Stewart. "Uber has empowered millions to make the right choice by providing reliable alternatives to impaired driving, saving countless lives in the process. This campaign provides a meaningful way to take action and support MADD's critical prevention efforts."
According to MADD's website, the campaign aims to raise funds and awareness to combat impaired driving. From December 17, 2024, to January 3, 2025, Uber riders can donate to MADD directly through the Uber app. Uber will match the first $250,000 in donations, effectively doubling the impact of each contribution. The funds will support MADD’s programs, including prevention education, advocacy for stronger impaired driving laws, and free support services for victims and survivors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that the holiday season is one of the most dangerous times on U.S. roads. Between 2018 and 2022, drunk driving claimed 4,759 lives during December months. In December 2022 alone, 1,062 people died in alcohol-related crashes, with nighttime hours accounting for a significant portion of these tragedies.
The National Bureau of Economic Research reports that ridesharing has decreased U.S. alcohol-related traffic fatalities by 6.1% and total traffic fatalities by 4.0%. The study uses detailed proprietary data from Uber and shows impacts are concentrated during nights and weekends.
Founded in 2009 by Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick, Uber is a technology company headquartered in San Francisco, California. It offers a range of services including ride-hailing, food delivery through Uber Eats, and freight transportation. As of 2024, Uber operates in over 70 countries and 10,500 cities worldwide with more than 150 million monthly active users according to the Financial Times.
Philanthropy Roundtable reports that MADD was established in 1980 by Candace Lightner after her daughter was killed by a drunk driver. It is a non-profit organization based in Irving, Texas with a mission to end drunk driving, support victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking. MADD has been instrumental in advocating for stricter impaired driving laws and promoting anti-drunk driving technology development. The organization claims that drunk driving has been reduced by half since its founding saving approximately 300,000 lives.