Victim Notification Services Available for Victims and Survivors of Drunk and Drugged Driving Crashes - News Release

NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
● 7500 Maple Avenue ● Takoma Park, Md 20912

For more information contact:
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901

December 3, 2012 (1:02 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2012 has been designated National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month to raise awareness about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Behind every drunk driving statistic is a person whose life was full of family and friends, love and life, joy and laughter. The holidays are particularly hard for those who have endured the devastating effect of an impaired driving crash.
In 1986, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) started the "TIE ONE ON for SAFETY" campaign. It is MADD’s longest running and most visible public awareness project. During the holiday season, drivers are encouraged to display a red ribbon in a visible location on their vehicles. Red ribbons and red ribbon window decals are available through local MADD affiliates and chapters. The red ribbons represent the driver’s commitment to drive safe, sober and buckled up. Concerned citizens can show their support and "TIE ONE ON for SAFETY" this holiday season.
After an impaired driving crash, information is critical to victims. To find out more, you can contact the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP), Maryland State Board of Victim Services, 300 E. Joppa Road, Suite 1105, Baltimore, Maryland 21286 or call 866.634.8463 or 866.847.1298 (TTY). Their Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) Administrator in Maryland is Anne Marie Litecky and can be contacted at Annemarie@goccp-state-md.org. GOCCP allows victims and survivors of impaired driving crashes to actively participate in the criminal justice system by registering to be notified of the status of their offender. Survivors often say that "information is power." One survivor described how automated victim information and notification programs can have a positive and profound impact on victims: "With accurate, updated information comes empowerment. When victims have the ability to access court and offender information on their own time, it affords them the chance to regain a bit of the control that was lost and lessens the sense of helplessness."
The challenge we as a Nation face as a result of impaired driving were described by President Barack Obama in his 2011 proclamation:
"Although we have made progress in the fight to reduce drunk driving, our Nation continues to suffer an unacceptable loss of life from traffic accidents that involve drugs, alcohol and distracted driving. To bring an end to these heartbreaking outcomes, we must take action by promoting rigorous enforcement measures and effective substance abuse prevention programs. During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we recommit to preventing tragedy before it strikes by ensuring our family members and friends stay safe, sober and drug-free on the road."
For additional information about how to register for SAVIN services in Maryland, please contact the GOCCP (information is above). You can also visit the MADD website at
www.madd.org, which features a myriad of resources and information for victims and survivors, victim advocates, justice professionals and community members to combat impaired driving, and provide support and services to its victims.Please drive safe, sober and remember to buckle up!