Uber, nonprofit team up this month to tackle impaired driving
Uber announced the decision this month to match up to $25,000 in donations that are made to MADD.
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A campaign partnership between a national ride-sharing service and a nonprofit is on a mission to end impaired driving in New Jersey and beyond.
Uber announced the decision this month to match up to $25,000 in donations that are made to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) - a timely announcement during Alcohol Awareness Month.
Locally, partner Steven Benvenisti, of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon law firm in Teaneck, is also an ambassador for MADD, the nonprofit on a mission to end impaired driving and support victims.
He said that with the spike in funds, the impact will be seen in three ways: to end drunk driving crashes, to save lives and to assist victims. This month’s partnership will also have New Jerseyans seeing some digital ads.
However, these efforts shouldn't have to be in the first place.
"Every single drunk and impaired driving crash is preventable," said Benvenisti.
Benvenisti would know - in college, he was the victim when a drunk driver hit him while on spring break.
"After 15 surgeries, after being in the hospital for half a year, I eventually worked so hard and was able to retain 100% full recovery from everything that happened to my mind, from everything that happened to my body," he said.
His biggest plea is to take the time to set up a ride plan before going out.
"One-third of all the crashes in our country are caused by an impaired driver or a drunk driver," said Benvenisti. "Sadly, we lose over 13,000 people every single year to drunk driving."
