MADD Colorado Announces Return of Bachus & Schanker as 2010 Statewide Sponsor

DENVER, April 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Colorado announced that Bachus & Schanker has returned as its 2010 Statewide Sponsor. As the Statewide Sponsor for Colorado, Bachus & Schanker will continue to provide crucial support to all of MADD Colorado's programs throughout the state.

"Without the generous support of Colorado donors and sponsors like Bachus & Schanker, MADD's lifesaving programs and victim services wouldn't be possible. In fact, we provided victim services to 300 more victim survivors in 2009 than we did in 2008 -- an increase of 25%," said Emily Tompkins, State Executive Director of MADD Colorado. "Law firms like Bachus & Schanker that fight for the rights of victims are critical to the healing process for the hundreds of victim/survivors impacted by alcohol-related injury and fatal traffic crashes in Colorado each year."

The law firm of Bachus & Schanker has long been a supporter of MADD and drunk driving victims. Bachus & Schanker is also a returning sponsor of Walk Like MADD, MADD Colorado's 5K community walk that raises funds to support MADD's work to eliminate drunk driving and to support the victims of drunk driving crashes and their families. More information is available at www.walklikemadd.org.

"The law firm of Bachus & Schanker is proud to be MADD Colorado's Statewide Sponsor," says Darin L. Schanker, founding partner at Bachus & Schanker, LLC. "As a personal injury law firm we've seen the devastating injuries and trauma to victims and their families as a result of drunk driving crashes. This sponsorship is our commitment to support MADD in its mission to make our roadways safer and to eliminate drunk driving throughout Colorado."

Unfortunately, thousands of drivers make the deadly decision to drive drunk across the country. In 2008, 11,773 people were killed in crashes where a driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or more. In Colorado, 218 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2008.

Through legislative efforts, law enforcement support, public awareness campaigns and underage drinking prevention, MADD Colorado aims to stamp out drunk driving in Colorado and end this 100 percent preventable loss of life. And thanks to the generous support of sponsors and donors, MADD Colorado provides victim services at no cost to over 1,500 victim/survivors, which includes support from trained Victim Advocates and a network of peers, guidance through the judicial process, one-on-one support, and a 24-hour help line.

MADD believes the tools are now at hand to eliminate drunk driving from the United States. The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving calls for intensive, high-visibility law enforcement and full implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Currently, eight states require and/or highly incentivize interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, including Colorado.

Founded in 1980, MADD has helped save more than 300,000 lives since its founding. MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. The organization has approximately 600 MADD affiliates and two million members and supporters nationwide. Twenty-four hour victim assistance is available by calling 1-877-MADD-HELP. For more information, visit www.madd.org.

SOURCE Mothers Against Drunk Driving Colorado