Media Contact: David Roscow, 202-537-1645 x254
Washington, DC - Mother and union bus driver Sandra Frye delivers a powerful Mother’s Day message against drunk driving in a public service announcement released today by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) – the largest union representing transit workers, including Greyhound workers, in North America.
“I love the open road,” Frye, a 17-year veteran Greyhound driver, says in the PSA. “But I never forget that a drowsy or careless driver could be right around the next corner. Drunk driving is the deadliest of all. As a mom and a bus driver I have a message for you. If you drink – don’t drive.”
The PSA, available in both English and Spanish, can beviewed on Youtube.com. The Spanish version features union Greyhound bus driver Sindy Vasquez.
MADD reports that one in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime, noting that our children share the road with an estimated 2 million drivers who have incurred three or more prior drunk driving offenses.
“Roadway safety is a one of ATU’s central goals, and that commitment isn’t limited just to our bus drivers,” says ATU International President Larry Hanley. “Drunk driving is a terrible and preventable crime, which is why we felt it so important to partner with MADD to produce this important public service announcement.”
“Greyhound’s number one focus is on safely transporting millions of customers every year across North America,” said Dave Leach, president and CEO, Greyhound. “We have the best-trained bus drivers in the industry, and we refuse to be at the mercy of people who choose to drink and drive. We hope this latest awareness campaign will help save lives and ensure the safety of everyone on our nation’s highways.”
“MADD is proud to work with ATU to help raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving,” said MADD National President Jan Withers. “Bus drivers are frequently driving during the most dangerous times for drunk driving — nights, weekends and holidays — so they know how important it is to keep drunk drivers off our roadways.”
The Amalgamated Transit Union is the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1892, the ATU today is comprised of over 190,000 members in 264 local unions spread across 44 states and nine provinces, including 3,000 workers at Greyhound Lines, Inc. Composed of bus drivers, light rail operators, maintenance and clerical personnel and other transit and municipal employees, the ATU works to promote transit issues and fights for the interests of its hard-working members.