Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has spoken out about recent headlines indicating that drugged driving has overtaken drunk driving in terms of road fatalities.

Testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection on the issue of drug-impaired driving, National President Colleen Sheehey-Church cautioned that, while drugged driving is a growing problem, alcohol remains the biggest threat.

“Drugged driving is a serious issue and one that is gaining attention across the country,” said Sheehey-Church. “We know that the legalization of medicinal and recreational marijuana, the national opioid crisis and the growing use of prescription drugs will increase drugged driving.”

Sheehey-Church pointed to research from the National Academy of Sciences and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that shows alcohol remains the biggest threat on the roads, causing more than 10,000 deaths every year.

MADD believes that stopping drunk and drugged driving begins with strong law enforcement and encouraged the Energy and Commerce Committee to work with law enforcement across the country to emphasize the importance of traffic enforcement.

“MADD serves drunk and drugged driving victims every day,” said Sheehey-Church.  “We want these victims to know that we are working hard to stop these senseless and 100 percent preventable crimes.”

Visit the MADD website