MADD Unites Across North America to Combat Impaired Driving at World Cup

The scale of the tournament presents a unique challenge for road safety, as gatherings at stadiums and bars across the continent often involve alcohol and cannabis consumption. Data from 2024 underscores the urgency of this message: Transport Canada reports that 25% of drivers in fatal crashes were impaired, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that 30% of U.S. traffic fatalities involved alcohol-impaired drivers.

Stacey D. Stewart, CEO of MADD, emphasized that the collective responsibility to protect lives transcends borders and sports rivalries. With extended operating hours for bars and restaurants in host cities from Vancouver to Dallas, the organizations are pushing for fans to utilize public transit, rideshares, or designated drivers. Tanya Hansen Pratt, National President of MADD Canada, added that the goal is to ensure the tournament’s celebrations do not result in preventable tragedies. For both groups, the message remains constant: safety is a non-negotiable part of the game plan, and a single decision to find a sober ride can prevent a life-altering accident.