Tampa Suburb Hosts Long Running Vigil for DUI Victims

TEMPLE TERRACE -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving is holding its annual candlelight vigil for victims and survivors of DUI crashes, tonight at 7 in Temple Terrace. Regional Director Larry Coggins says the vigil here is the oldest in the nation. It started when MADD arrived in the Tampa Bay area in 1984.

Even though distracted driving has gotten a lot of attention in recent years, Coggins says impaired driving still takes about a thousand lives in Florida each year.

But there is progress. In 1980, drunk driving claimed 50,000 lives per year nationwide. The latest annual figure... 10,400.

Coggins points out that there are now many alternatives to driving under the influence, including ridesharing services and the AAA Tow to Go program on holidays.

The vigil takes place at Mission Hill Church on 56th Street, again starting at 7 p.m.

Listen to an interview with Larry Coggins:

Photo Credit: Getty Images


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