Thread: HISPANIC DRINKING AND DRIVING REPORT FROM MADD

http://www.madd.org/aboutus/2552

Cultural Impact"
DRIVEN magazine,
Fall 2001

Most everyone in this country is familiar with the phrases "Don't Drink and Drive" and "Designate a Driver," and understands them as lifesaving messages. Unfortunately, these messages are not always understood or embraced by all.

Adelita Avila knows how critical it is for MADD to reach out to and educate the Hispanic community about preventing drunk driving and to provide assistance when tragedy strikes.

In 1993, Avila sat at the hospital bedside of her 4-year-old son, Craig Bennett Jr., as he lay in a coma because of a drunk driver. Avila is a native of Mexico, and her then second grade English reading skills and understanding level prevented her from comprehending what the doctors were telling her about her son's condition.

Even more frustrating was that the language barrier prevented her from being able to fight for justice in the court system. And, she was not alone. Avila met other Hispanic families who were grappling with the aftermath of a drunk driving crash-many of whom understood less than she did.


What she soon learned about the impact of drunk driving on Hispanics was disheartening.

"A lot of the crashes were caused by their own family members," Avila recalls. "And these families were shocked that something like this could happen. But it was of no surprise to me.

"In Mexico, the culture is very much a drinking culture. After a hard day at work, it is normal to end the workday by drinking beer. At social events - celebrations, spending time with family, visiting friends - it is commonplace to drink, for the men in particular. And drinking alcohol starts early for male Hispanics because as early as age 12, drinking alcohol is seen as a "rite of passage" to becoming a man.


"Also, in Mexico, traffic laws are quite different and the use of seatbelt restraints is almost unheard of. So, when you combine the Hispanic drinking culture with the lack of education on drunk driving prevention, you end up with tragic consequences."

Avila's experience pushed her toget an education so that she could help drunk driving victims and other Hispanics. Today, Avila is the bilingual victim advocate for MADD Metroplex in Dallas, Texas, where she works to educate and reach out to the Hispanic community.

A Population at Risk
According to research compiled by Dr. Catherine Clark of the Alcohol Policy Group in Berkeley, Calif., Hispanic drivers are more likely than Anglo drivers to consume more alcohol more frequently and have been shown to be more likely than Anglos to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level over .05 percent.

Hispanics also believed that it takes six to eight drinks to affect driving, while Anglos thought two to four drinks affected driving. Even more discouraging is that statistics show that the overall death rate due to motor vehicle crashes is higher among Hispanics than it is among Anglos or African Americans. And, Hispanic male teens are twice as likely as Anglo male teens to die in a car crash.

U.S. Census figures show the Hispanic/Latino population is the youngest and fastest-growing segment in America. This rapid growth, combined with a higher tendency to drive after drinking or ride with an impaired driver, is a recipe for death.

"The need to communicate lifesaving messages about drunk driving and underage drinking to the Spanish-speaking population is unquestionable," says Dr. Raul Caetano of the University of Texas School of Public Health and MADD national board member.

"We must develop communication tools and prevention programs that employ a variety of strategies directed at the individual, community leaders, community groups and official institutions."

Dr. Caetano's extensive research into drinking patterns and alcohol problems among Hispanics and other ethnic groups continues. "Much remains to be done, and the outcomes of such work would be beneficial to not only members of minority groups, but to the general population as well."

A Lifesaving Strategy
Forming the plan to effectively communicate with Hispanics will be a multi-layered effort beginning with a strategic alliance between MADD and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America.

"Mitsubishi Motors understands the best way to protect drivers and passengers is not only through safety advances in our vehicles, but also through teaching responsible driving behavior," says Gael O'Brien, vicepresident of corporate communications for Mitsubishi Motors. "We are so pleased to partner with MADD on an important initiative and help drive home MADD's message to communities across the nation."

A pilot program called "Pass the Keys - Pasa las Llaves" will be used in four MADD chapters in high-density Hispanic/Latino areas: Los Angeles/Orange County, Dallas, Miami and Chicago. Each site will have a Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council, composed of Latino community leaders, MADD volunteers and Mitsubishi Motors executives. The Council is charged with helping

develop ways to connect with the Hispanic population in its specific city and address distinctions among Spanish-speaking people to deliver MADD's lifesaving messages.

Margaret Collins, executive director of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex Chapter, has already begun work with Mitsubishi Motors to reach out to the Hispanic community. "Mitsubishi's support enables us to take our safety message into more Latino community events focusing on Hispanic culture and family. We have already increased our number of bilingual volunteers by
50 percent."

MADD Miami-Dade Chapter
President Susan Isenberg is wellversed in the challenges ahead. "The Spanish-speaking population makes up 41 percent of Miami's citizenship and is over-represented in death and injury caused by impaired driving crashes. We are currently producing Spanish-language public service announcements for television and banners to be displayed throughout the county. With Mitsubishi's help, we'll be able to enhance our present efforts and create new ways to impact the community."

Bridging the Gap
Impacting the Hispanic/Latino population is the focus of a communications handbook funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The handbook, titled "Tradiciones: A Guide to Understanding La Comunidad," offers tools and resources for MADD members and advocates while explaining the importance of Hispanic/Latino culture, language and family.

Building coalitions with national Hispanic/Latino organizations is another critical component in connecting with the Hispanic community.
Raul Yzaguirre, president of the National Council of La Raza, and actor Edward James Olmos have both agreed to serve on MADD's National Advisory Board, which will recommend ways the MADD organization can more effectively achieve its mission. Also, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), at its recent national convention, passed a resolution to join MADD's efforts to prevent underage drinking.

Each facet of MADD's Hispanic/Latino outreach initiative is designed with emphasis on family and outreach in a culturally relevant way. Financial support from organizations such as Mitsubishi Motors and NHTSA as well as MADD supporters make it possible for MADD to begin integrating its lifesaving message into the Hispanic/Latino society.

Maybe some of the racist pro-illegal organizations should stop whipping the boys into a frenzy about how they are going to take back the U.S. Making them think they are hot stuff.....we all now where that kind of crap leads with teens.