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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

MADD: "Tie One on for Safety" Urges Floridians Not to Drink and Drive

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Monday, December 22, 2008   

This may be "the most wonderful time of the year," but Mother"s Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) says it can also be the most deadly. The organization is urging supporters to "tie one on" this holiday season - a red ribbon that is - to remind others not to drink and drive. Volunteers will hand out 6 million red ribbons across the nation as part of the Tie One On for Safety campaign.

Don Murray, executive director of Florida M.A.D.D., believes the campaign will build awareness to save lives.

"You don’t have the right to kill my kid; you don’t have the right to kill my wife; and when you have been drinking to excess and you get behind the wheel of that 2,000- or 2,300-pound vehicle, you’ve basically pointed a loaded pistol at everyone on the road."

Nationwide, more than 1,000 people were killed by drunk drivers between Thanksgiving and New Year’s last year. Many others were injured or maimed, ruining the lives of both driver and victim, Murray adds.

"We just want to remind folks that the holidays are coming up, somebody loves you and you need to make a responsible decision before you decide to celebrate with alcohol. Have someone else drive you."

Alcohol first impairs vision, then judgment, so people are unable to determine when they have had too much. M.A.D.D encourages designating a driver, not letting others drive drunk, or calling a cab when the celebration includes alcohol.

"Drunk driving is 100-percent preventable; it’s all because of choices. It wasn’t an accident that you decided to drink, nor that you decided to get in your car afterward and drive."

In Florida, drunk drivers claimed over 900 lives last year, ranking the state ninth in the nation, according to M.A.D.D.

The Florida Highway Patrol announced increased DUI checkpoints for the holiday season, and AAA is offering free rides and free towing for anyone who's had too much to drink.

More information is available at www.madd.org.




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