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NTTA Works with MADD to Help Prevent Drunk Driving The NTTA joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to spotlight the dangers of drunk driving and, in turn, enhance safety on NTTA roadways.
The NTTA and MADD launched the initiative in response to a spate of incidents on the Dallas North Tollway, all caused by intoxicated motorists driving the wrong way.
“The safety of our roads is the NTTA’s top priority, and we are committed to doing everything we can to prevent wrong-way drivers,” said NTTA Executive Director Allen Clemson. “We look forward to working with MADD in spreading this vital safety message.”
The initiative began in September with the NTTA’s “Safe Driving Tour,” an eight-week campaign consisting of on-air, online and onsite promotions aimed at eliminating drunk driving in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
MADD also will be on hand this fall at several NTTA events, such as road openings and TagWagon visits, distributing red ribbons for their oldest public awareness campaign, “Tie One On for Safety.”
“We are greatly encouraged to have another community leader like the NTTA participate in our ‘Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving’,” said Mary Kardell, MADD North Texas executive director. “Teaming up with organizations that are concerned about roadway safety to get the message to motorists about drunk driving is very important to MADD North Texas.”
Safety is and always has been paramount at NTTA, as evidenced by the three-pronged approach the Authority already has implemented to help curtail wrong-way driver situations:
• Engineering – Installing additional “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs and adding reflective tape to those signs; adding one-way pavement markers at the south end of the DNT; installing raised pavement markers and piloting a detection system; using the NTTA’s current intelligent transportation system of more than 1,000 cameras, pavement sensors and large messaging signs to ensure the safety of our motorists.
• Enforcement – Working closely with DPS and local police to increase patrols during late-night hours, holiday weekends or other periods when drunk driving is likely.
• Education – Implementing a comprehensive public education campaign, including a collaboration with MADD to reach out to motorists to sign the pledge to eliminate drunk driving and make a simple and life saving request: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let friends drink and drive.
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