Police-reported alcohol-related traffic deaths increased by 5% from 2020 to 2021
Orange County SC is partnering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to remind fans to be the designated driver during one of the most dangerous weekends of the year, Labor Day weekend. The match will be held at the Championship Soccer Stadium in the City of Irvine on Saturday, September 3rd. A portion of the funds raised go directly to MADD’s lifesaving mission here in Southern California and to provide necessary community services to those affected by drunk and drugged driving.
As part of Orange County SC community outreach program and using soccer to shine a light on social issues, the reigning USL Champions have teamed up with MADD California to remind fans of all ages the dangers of drunk and drugged driving. The game against Memphis will feature a number of initiatives intended to raise awareness around impaired driving, thank first responders and honor victims in the County.
“There is nothing more important to us than our community events and we couldn’t be prouder to be supporting MADD and the incredible work they do,” OCSC President of Business Operations Dan Rutstein said.
“I have seen firsthand the devastating impact that drunk driving can have, and we stand firmly behind any initiative that can help educate and inform drivers, parents, youngsters and the broader Orange County community,” Rutstein said. “As a club, we host beer fests, we’ve hosted whisky tastings and we have alcohol brands as partners – but like MADD, our message isn’t about saying don’t drink, it is about saying don’t drink and drive.”
According to NHTSA, police-reported, alcohol-involved crashes increased by 5% from 2020 to 2021, indicating that estimated fatalities in 2021 were still higher as compared to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. This is why MADD, Orange County SC and local Orange County law enforcement are working together with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, but also a matter of life and death.
“Hazardous driving behaviors have increased over the past two years amounting to more alcohol-related deaths and injuries on our roads,” said Patricia Rillera, MADD California State Executive Director. “As we head into the Labor Day holiday, MADD is proud to join the Orange County SC along with local law enforcement partners in urging everyone to plan ahead before the first drink. Designate a non-impaired driver, utilize rideshare or call a taxi. There is never an excuse to drive impaired.”
During the match, players from OCSC will be wearing black armbands to commemorate victims of drunk driving, victims’ families will bring out the ceremonial ball and there will be a halftime penalty shot competition featuring first responders sponsored by the Noah Benardout Foundation. There will also be incentives for designated drivers.
MADD recommends these intervention techniques to prevent drunk and drugged driving:
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911.
- Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
R&B pop, bilingual, singer-songwriter and American Idol alum, Tito Rey, will sing the national anthem.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at: https://fevo.me/madd22
About Orange County SC: Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) is Orange County’s only professional soccer team and a founding club of the United Soccer League (USL). The USL Championship comprises 27 teams across the United States and is the fastest growing Division II professional soccer league in the world. The team plays its home games at the immaculate 5,500-seat Orange County Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium located in Irvine, CA, a new facility surrounded by world class amenities and 24 soccer fields. OCSC won its first USL Championship in November by defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies by a score of 3-1 at the 2021 USL Cup. OCSC is dedicated to being the leader in professional player development in the United States, providing the most talented young players in Southern California and across the United States a pathway to professional soccer and to the top leagues around the world. OCSC’s strategic partner is historic European power Rangers Football Club of Glasgow of the Scottish Premier League. In November 2021, OCSC’s 17-year-old center back, Kobi Henry, became the first active USL player to be called up to the full US Men’s National Team for a friendly game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In June of 2022, Henry was transferred to Ligue 1 side, Stade de Reims in the largest transfer in USL history. Additionally, in 2019 OCSC signed the youngest male in United States soccer history to a professional contract, Francis Jacobs, at the age of 14; Jacobs played in the 2020 Alkass Cup with Rangers in Qatar and will be returning to train with Rangers in the future. OCSC also executed the first ever player move from the USL to the German Bundesliga by sending Bryang Kayo to VFL Wolfsburg in early 2020, followed by the transfer of OC native Aaron Cervantes to Rangers FC in late 2020. OCSC also received the largest transfer fee in league history within the USL for a 2021 intraleague transaction. Club owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased the club in 2017, re-branded the team as Orange County SC and continues to lead the OCSC management team as Chief Executive Officer. OCSC, alongside its sister organization the 501c3 Orange County Soccer Club Community Foundation, are committed to creating a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County.
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving: Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 400,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.