MADD and the NFL Game-Day Designated Driver Program Results in Record Sign Ups During 2011 Season

--Nine Teams Join MADD in its Efforts to Eliminate Drunk Driving--

DALLAS, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In advance of Super Bowl XLVI, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the National Football League (NFL) announced the success of their game-day designated driver program. In 2011, 220,000 fans signed up to be designated drivers—a nearly 30 percent increase from 2010.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110412/MADDLOGO)

"We partnered with the NFL and nine of the League's teams to make sure that fans include a safe ride home in their game plan," said MADD National President Jan Withers. "The success of this program is a testament to the dedication of the League and teams to make the game-day experience safe and fun for fans."

The game-day program enhances the teams' existing designated driver programs with a pre-game MADD presence in stadium parking lots, distribution of information cards throughout the stadiums, and an audio PSA urging fans to "sign up to play the most important position in the NFL: the designated driver." The following nine teams partnered with MADD in 2011 for a safer game-day fan experience: the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders.

"The NFL is committed to ensuring that our fans have a safe and positive game-day experience –and that includes having a safe ride home from the stadium after the game," said NFL Chief Security Officer Jeff Miller. "Our partnership with MADD has been a very effective way to promote fan responsibility and safety."

This latest aspect of MADD's partnership with the NFL follows the League's support of MADD's parent-focused underage drinking prevention program, which launched last spring on April 21st for the first annual PowerTalk 21® day. This is the national day for parents to start talking with their kids about alcohol, using the Power of Parents™ program handbook as a guide to start the conversation.

"As a mother whose daughter was killed by an underage drunk driver, I applaud the NFL's commitment to keeping alcohol out of the hands of kids," said Withers.

During the season, MADD and the NFL also launched a Facebook campaign called MADD Props™, urging youth to take a stand against underage drinking and set a positive example for their peers. The campaign encourages young people to make a pledge to not drink until age 21 and to never ride with someone who has been drinking to be entered into a drawing for NFL gear.

"Together, we are partnering to save lives and create healthier fans of all ages," said Withers. "And from the success of this year's programs, it's working."

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation's largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end this danger on America's roads. PowerTalk 21® is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of the Power of Parents™ to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every nine minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. Learn more at www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.

SOURCE Mothers Against Drunk Driving