The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Founded in 1978, this volunteer grass-roots organization (P.O. Box 520, Schenectady, NY 12301; 518-372-0034) is devoted to efforts to deter impaired driving, help victims seek justice and restitution, close loopholes in DWI (driving while impaired) laws, and educate the public on the scope of impaired-driving tragedies. RID activists have played a key role in the passage of reforms of the impaired-driving laws in many states, enabled passage of more than 500 anti-DWI laws, and monitored more than 15,000 court cases.
RID's victim-support activities, which are free, include providing long-term emotional support to victims of drunk-driving crashes and to their families; counseling victims and accompanying them throughout all phases of criminal prosecution of the offender; assisting victims in obtaining compensation; and referring victims and their families to appropriate supportive agencies. Court monitoring and research activities include monitoring the efforts of police, prosecutors, magistrates, and judges in drunk-driving cases through research and analysis of local court records, and reporting these findings to the public. RID's public awareness and education activities are extensive. Members organize public meetings; present educational talks to community and religious organizations; participate in forums, exhibits, and media events; supplement high school driver-education classes; and support SADD (STUDENTS AGAINST DRIVING DRUNK) and other similar student groups. They study and report on alcohol-related vehicle and traffic laws; support concepts such as designated-driver and alcohol-server education, and promote SNAP (a Sane National Alcohol Policy), which advocates raising taxes on alcohol, curbing campus beer promotions, and airing public-service advertising to counter all broadcast alcohol commercials.
RID is organized into autonomous chapters, with more than 150 chapters in at least forty-one states in the United States and a national group in France. Financial support comes from member dues, government and corporate grants, charitable contributions, and memorial gifts. Information on how to organize a RID chapter is available from the national office in Schenectady, New York.
Accidents and Injuries from Alcohol; Dramshop Liability Laws; Drunk Driving; Mothers Against Drunk Driving)