Herald Column: The Good, The MADD, and the Ugly

This week's Calgary Herald column from yours truly looks at the response from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to some recent stories, and what it tells us about the organization:  

...It is a long-standing criticism of MADD that it is as much an anti-drinking organization as it is an anti-drunk-driving organization. That would include founder Candy Lightner who has described MADD as "neoprohibitionist".

 

As much as MADD rejects the insinuation, it seems intent on acting as though it were a firmly established fact.

 

The MADD we should want MADD to be was front and centre last week in the debate over whether dangerous offender status should be pronounced upon a repeat drunk driver in Quebec.

 

Roger Walsh's 19th drunk driving conviction was for a crash that claimed the life of a 47-year old woman.

 

MADD helped ensure that Canadians were aware of the case, and was quick to voice its outrage when the judge rejected the dangerous offender label.

 

The existence of offenders like Walsh and the seeming inability of the system to keep them off Canadian roads would certainly indicate that this fight is far from over.

 

But the sort of fight MADD seems intent on fighting is one which embodies the pro-temperance caricature painted by its critics. Aside from the high-profile Walsh case, MADD's familiar acronym was spotted last week in news coverage here in Alberta in a story which had nothing to do with impaired driving.

 

An Edmonton nightclub has been offering university students $20 in cash if they arrive early on Thursday nights. Those who qualify get $10 when they arrive and $10 after 12:30 a. m.--and they're free to use that money toward cab or bus fare.

 

Nonetheless, MADD is among those condemning the bar, calling the promotion "stupid" and "irresponsible." All of this could have been avoided if we'd left bars free to set their own prices--and their own hours, for that matter. It is hardly an act of evil to help a thirsty university student save a few dollars.

 

If an adult is not driving, how much he spends on alcohol or how late he stays out is of no concern to an organization ostensibly dedicated to fighting impaired driving.

 

Other recent stories have exposed MADD's neoprohibitionist side:

- MADD strongly supported Alberta's minimum prices and happy hour ban. MADD has also called on Alberta to raise its legal drinking age.

 

- In June, MADD Canada reiterated its strong support for government monopoly on alcohol sales.

 

- The head of MADD's Delaware chapter criticized the White House for hosting a "beer summit" last month between U. S. President Barack Obama, Harvard professor Henry Gates, and police officer James Crowley.

 

- The New Jersey chapter of MADD has condemned a brewery for naming beers after turnpike exits.

 

- MADD slammed AMTRAK for offering $100 in free drinks for overnight train passengers: people who clearly aren't driving anywhere.

 

(...)

 

Going after responsible drinkers is not going to make our roads any safer and it risks eroding the credibility and reputation MADD has worked so hard to build.

 

Roger Walsh is the enemy --not happy hour.