MADD Renews Call to Action as Impaired Driving Spikes 40% Over Labor Day Weekend
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, August 27, 2025 — Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD
Louisiana) has issued a statewide reminder to all: don’t risk lives by driving impaired over the Labor Day holiday. Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving crashes spike up to 40% during Labor Day weekends, making it one of the most dangerous times of the year to be on the road.
Impaired driving deaths have increased by a staggering 31% over the past decade. To save lives, MADD Louisiana is calling on everyone to do their part and plan before the long weekend. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a car, a boat, a jet ski or a golf cart, making the reckless choice of impaired driving will have devastating consequences.
“Labor Day weekend should be a time of fun, not grief,” said Sunny Wall, Executive Director of MADD Louisiana. “To keep everyone in Louisiana safe, drink responsibly, and plan ahead for safe travels this holiday weekend.”
MADD is working with law enforcement agencies to increase sobriety checkpoints, which reduces drunk driving deaths by up to 20%, according to the Center for Disease Control.
This coincides with NHTSA’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign and emphasizes the importance of enforcement to save lives.
The increase in impaired driving over Labor Day is especially dangerous for teens. The summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are known as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. MADD encourages families to have honest conversations with young drivers about the dangers of alcohol, drugs, and impaired driving. Resources like the Power of Parents handbook are available to guide those important discussions.
MADD urges everyone to do their part this Labor Day: plan a safe ride, speak up if someone tries to drive impaired, and help keep Louisiana safe.
About MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is a national nonprofit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by more than 40%, saved nearly 500,000 lives, and served nearly one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, as well as advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws, including the HALT Drunk Driving Law that mandates anti-drunk driving technology in every new car. MADD continues to provide support services to victims and survivors of impaired driving at no charge through victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. For more information or to donate, visit https://madd.org/Louisiana and follow MADD Louisiana on Facebook.
*MADD Louisiana’s annual walk to bring awareness while honoring loved ones who were lost or injured by impaired driving will be held Saturday morning, October 18th. Register now for this family-friendly community event at https://give.madd.org/Louisiana
Contact: Sunny Wall Executive Director Sunny.Wall@madd.org 225-926-0807 x2258
The Louisiana Press Association was formed in 1880 as a trade association uniting the state's daily and weekly newspapers. As its members have transformed so has the LPA, focused on educating, advocating and innovating in print and digital platforms.