Rieders firm sponsors MADD meeting

From the Williamsport Sun-Gazette December, 2005:

County Mothers Against Drunk Driving chapter envisioned

By MARK MARONEY

Mothers Against Drunk Driving held its first conference ever in Lycoming County Tuesday night to bring awareness to the problem of driving while under the influence of intoxicants and to perhaps start a local chapter.

“We’d like to have a chapter in Lycoming County,” the organization’s state executive director Rebecca Shaver told 25 to 30 people gathered at the Holiday Inn, 100 Pine St., many of whom make their livings dealing with the problem.

“You are already doing the work,” Shaver said.

While the county does not have a MADD chapter, it does many things other counties don’t come close to doing, Shaver said.

The meeting, sponsored by the law firm of Rieders, Travis, Humphrey, Harris, Waters and Waffenschmidt, with Clifford A. Rieders, acting as monitor, was a success, she said.

Shaver said she has been with MADD since 1991 and has been its state director five years. She said she was amazed how on such a cold winter night there was such a turnout and concern from people wanting to organize a chapter.

Shaver said she has invited some county officials to join the organization’s state level council to work on legislative initiatives.

“I look for this to be an ongoing affiliation,” she said.

She indicated the need to identify volunteers who would be willing to take MADD victim-advocacy training that offers assistance to victims of drunk driving. She said the need exists for people willing to go through a three-day training session.

District Attorney Michael A. Dinges said many police departments do not have portable breath-testing machines, and video cameras should be installed in all police cars.

Carol Sides, chairwoman of the county DUI Advisory Council, said she spoke about trying to establish a MADD chapter 20 years ago and was told then she would need an office and secretary. Shortly after making the inquiry, Sides said, her car was struck by another whose driver had been drinking. While not seriously injured, Sides said, she had always wanted to revisit the issue and became involved in the advisory council.

Rieders said the law firm would be willing to provide space and support for the MADD chapter.

Sides said efforts by the advisory council have included representatives visiting the DUI checkpoints.

“It inspires you to see what is really happening,” Sides said of visiting the sites where police stop drivers and check to see if they have been drinking alcohol. “When you actually see the driver take the field sobriety test, you know you are making a difference.”

The council, which marked its 20th anniversary two weeks ago, also has sent members to visit district magistrate courts and coordinates with groups such as Students Against Drunk Driving to put on anti-DUI programs in school and routinely seeks grants for DUI checkpoints.

The advisory council also brought forth the victim-impact panel where victims of drunken drivers speak to those who have been convicted of driving while intoxicated. It has also helped train individuals on how to notify loved ones of death and injury after accidents.

Chris Smith of the county Comprehensive High way Safety Program said what is being done locally will dovetail with MADD when the chapter is organized.