Candy Lightner
 Candy Lightner (AP Photo) |
In 1980, Candy Lightner’s 13-year-old daughter Cari was killed by a drunk driver. The driver was a repeat offender who had recently been released on bail after a hit-and-run. Four days later, Lightner gathered some friends together at a Sacramento steakhouse and formed Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, or MADD. Within three years, the organization had nearly 2 million members and an annual budget of $12 million. Due in part to MADD’s aggressive lobbying, 729 state laws pertaining to drunk driving were passed between 1981 and 1986, and the federal drinking age was raised to 21. Perhaps most importantly, the organization raised public awareness through efforts like the “designated driver” campaign. Drunk driving fatalities have been cut in half since MADD’s founding. Lightner parted ways with MADD in 1985. |
