Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

MADD and Waymo Team Up to Combat Drunk Driving During Holidays

Historic data shows that more people die on U.S. roadways on holidays than on non-holidays.

MADD and Waymo Team Up to Combat Drunk Driving During Holidays

The non-profit and the autonomous driving technology company recently kicked off the 36th Annual Tie One On for Safety Holiday Campaign.

Photo: Canva

2 min to read


For the fifth consecutive year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has partnered with Waymo to help combat drunk driving on the nation’s roadways during the holiday season.

The non-profit and the autonomous driving technology company recently kicked off the 36th Annual Tie One On for Safety Holiday Campaign at Waymo’s Lancaster depot. That’s where Waymo will showcase their fleet of autonomous vehicles displaying red ribbons as a reminder to always designate a non-drinking driver.

Ad Loading...

The designated driver campaign is a decades-long tradition for MADD, which launched its first one in 1986. By tying red ribbons on cars, the MADD campaign reminds people to designate a non-drinking driver during any and all holiday outings.

In recent years, Waymo came on board and throughout the holidays the company displays MADD’s red ribbons on its entire fleet — from their all-electric Jaguar I-PACEs in California to their Class 8 trucks in Texas. The goal is to encourage all consumers to use safe modes of transportation, especially during the holidays when more people are more likely to imbibe.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates 9,560 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the first quarter of 2022, which is the largest number of projected traffic fatalities in that time frame since 2002.

As if that isn’t enough, historic data shows that holidays are a particular perilous time on U.S. highways and byways. A report from Zutobi finds that the number of traffic deaths is 30% higher during holidays when compared with equivalent non-holiday periods. From 2016 to 2020, it’s estimated that 10,732 people were killed in car crashes during popular days off.

Thanksgiving is considered to be the worst day for driving, with 2,414 people killed on the nation’s roadways on that day between 2016 and 2020. Christmas ranks as the fifth worst holiday for traffic fatalities, with 1,639 fatalities in the same period.

More Safety

A person with hands on the steering wheel driving
Safetyby Judie NuskeyMay 15, 2026

The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle

Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.

Read More →
Hail covers the windshield and hood of a black vehicle with text overlay about FLASH Weather AI’s new hail prediction model.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting

FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.

Read More →
Coca-Cola fleet executive smiling beside graphic text reading “Rolling Dollar Signs” about the company’s trucking and fleet strategy.
Safetyby Chris BrownMay 12, 2026

How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk

As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two trucking industry workers talk in front of semi-trucks beside text reading, “The issue isn’t lack of safety technology — it’s lack of alignment.”
SafetyMay 12, 2026

How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety

Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.

Read More →
pictures of a lock with the words Cybersecurity 101
Safetyby Jeanny RoaMay 11, 2026

Fleet Cybersecurity 101: What You Need from Your Technology Vendors

From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.

Read More →
Chris Brown sits across from safety experft at Lifesaver mobile in an interview about distracted driving and phone use tech.
Safetyby Chris BrownMay 1, 2026

Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel

Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Safetyby Jeanny RoaApril 15, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2

As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.

Read More →
Safetyby Jeanny RoaApril 11, 2026

 Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash

What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.

Read More →
Driver holding a phone while steering, illustrating distracted driving and the importance of mental awareness and attention on the road for fleet safety.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyApril 10, 2026

From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers

Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

Lytx 2026 Road Safety Report

While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.

Read More →