MADD and Takata Launch 'Tie One On For Safety' Holiday Red Ribbon Campaign in Pennsylvania to Save Lives

Campaign Aims to Curb Fatalities in Pennsylvania from Alcohol-Related Crashes and Increase Seat Belt Use During the Holiday Season

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 22 -- For the second consecutive year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Takata, the world's largest manufacturer of seat belts, are teaming up to promote safety on the highways and save lives. The 2004 "Tie One On For Safety" holiday red ribbon campaign encourages motorists in Pennsylvania to tie a red ribbon to their vehicles as a pledge to themselves and a reminder to other motorists to drive safe and sober, and to always buckle up while in a vehicle.

In the 36 days between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve last year, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 77 people were killed on Pennsylvania roads in alcohol-related traffic crashes and/or crashes where safety belts were not used. That's more than two lives lost every day as a result of a failure to drive sober and/or buckled up.

"MADD has always been in the business of highway safety and saving lives! For that reason, we are pleased to work with Takata whose ultimate goal is the same -- keeping people safe and buckled up during the holiday season," said MADD Pennsylvania state executive director Rebecca Shaver. "We want everyone to make a pledge to be personally responsible; drive safe, drive sober and buckle up."

The holiday period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve is one of busiest on the nation's roads, with a high incidence of alcohol-related traffic fatalities and injuries. Last year's inaugural partnership between MADD and Takata enhanced the "Tie One On For Safety" holiday campaign with reminders to wear safety belts.

"Crashes continue to be a public health epidemic," said Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D., NHTSA Administrator. "The good news is that each of us possesses the vaccine to prevent this deadly disease. Always buckling up and driving sober can save countless lives this holiday season and every day."

Pennsylvania does not have a primary seat belt law and studies show that states with primary seat belt laws generally have an 11 percentage point higher usage rate than states with a secondary law. A primary law allows law enforcement to stop motorists solely for not wearing a seat belt.

The use of safety belts is the best defense in any traffic crash. Safety belts saved nearly 15,000 lives nationwide in 2003, but if all vehicle occupants were properly restrained during a crash, nearly 21,000 lives (an additional 6,000) could have been saved in 2003. Additionally, seat belts annually save society approximately $50 billion in medical care, lost productivity, and other injury-related costs nationwide.

More than 17,000 fatalities and half a million injuries from alcohol- related traffic crashes occur annually, and someone dies in an alcohol-related traffic crash nearly every 30 minutes.

During the 2004 campaign, more than 6 million red ribbons are expected to be distributed nationwide through more than 600 MADD chapters and 700 Mazda dealerships. The Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc is the 2004 campaign's national automotive sponsor.

Takata, National Presenting Sponsor of MADD's "Tie One On For Safety" red ribbon campaign, is the world's largest provider of safety belts and a leading global automotive safety systems supplier. Takata offers a full line of seat belts, frontal and side impact airbags, steering wheels, safety electronics including rollover protection and crash avoidance systems, and a broad range of interior trim components. Takata's U.S. automotive safety headquarters are in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Founded in 1980, MADD is a non-profit organization with approximately 2 million members and supporters nationwide. MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. Since its founding, nearly 270,000 lives have been saved. For information on MADD Pennsylvania, call (717) 657-3911.