Mother Warns of Dangers of Driving Impaired During Alcohol Awareness Month

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Ohio State Highway Patrol urge community to prevent drunk driving tragedies.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:20pm

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An extreme close-up of a car key and ignition switch, dramatically lit by a harsh flash against a dark background, conveying the serious risks of drunk driving.A stark reminder of the grave consequences that can result from the decision to drive impaired.Youngstown Today

In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are reminding the community of the dangers of driving under the influence and encouraging everyone to take steps to prevent it. After losing her 23-year-old son Austin to a drunk driving accident seven years ago, MADD's Sheila Lockwood is shining a light on the tragic consequences of impaired driving.

Why it matters

Drunk driving remains a serious issue in Ohio, with over 69,000 alcohol and/or drug-involved crashes, 42,000 injuries, and nearly 4,000 deaths since 2020. Alcohol Awareness Month serves as an important reminder for the community to be vigilant and make responsible decisions to prevent these preventable tragedies.

The details

MADD and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are urging people to always have a plan, such as a designated driver or a place to stay the night, when going out and consuming alcohol. Sergeant Jeremy Kindler from the Ohio State Highway Patrol warns that as the weather warms up, drunk driving incidents tend to spike, and "just that one decision could alter somebody's life."

  • April is Alcohol Awareness Month.
  • Since 2020, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reports there have been over 69,000 alcohol and/or drug-involved crashes in Ohio.

The players

Sheila Lockwood

A member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) who lost her 23-year-old son Austin to a drunk driving accident seven years ago.

Sergeant Jeremy Kindler

An officer with the Ohio State Highway Patrol who warns that drunk driving incidents tend to spike as the weather warms up.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

A national non-profit organization that works to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking.

Ohio State Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling Ohio's highways and enforcing traffic laws.

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What they’re saying

“Alcohol awareness month, it really encourages people, communities, to think about the dangers of driving impaired and the consequences. Because no matter what the penalties are for drinking and driving, they will never, ever bring back a life.”

— Sheila Lockwood, Member, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

“Ohio is going to turn a lot busier really quickly. And just that one decision could alter somebody's life, you know. So we want to make sure that we prevent that just by education and making sure that everybody makes a responsible decision to drive sober.”

— Sergeant Jeremy Kindler, Ohio State Highway Patrol

“Innocent lives are taken every single day. It's a preventable crime. And it is a crime. And we just need to do better.”

— Sheila Lockwood, Member, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

What’s next

MADD and the Ohio State Highway Patrol will continue their education and awareness campaigns throughout Alcohol Awareness Month to encourage the community to make responsible decisions and prevent drunk driving tragedies.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing battle against drunk driving and the devastating impact it can have on families and communities. By raising awareness and promoting prevention strategies during Alcohol Awareness Month, MADD and the Ohio State Highway Patrol hope to save lives and prevent more senseless tragedies like the one that took Sheila Lockwood's son.