MADD survey looks at designated drivers

Drunk driving will most likely be a problem on our roads until the end of time, but new research would suggest there is growing awareness about the dangers of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

In a national survey conducted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), about half of respondents said they acted as a designated driver in the past year, responsible for staying liquor-free and being the chauffeur for those who may be inebriated. Nearly 40 percent of adults said they were transported by a designated driver in the past year.

When asked why they chose the smarter route, the three main reasons offered were to keep everyone safe, avoid an arrest for driving under the influence and to decrease the odds of a crash.

"There are people out there that continue to drink and drive," said Richard Mallow, MADD New York program director. "And when you get into a crash, they're not changing only their lives; they're changing and altering the lives of the people they hit."

Drunk driving crashes killed more than 10,000 people in 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Mallow said the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day typically see a spike in crashes related to drunk driving.

MADD encourages everyone to go out and have a good time, he said, but there should be a solid plan to get home safely.