Driverless cars and the best-known organization against drunk driving may be natural partners, said Vicki Knox, chief operating officer and acting CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

In her 38 years with MADD, Knox said the organization has served more than a million victims, and that’s not a number to be taken lightly.  It needs to be lower.

“We’ve heard so many stories, and they’re horrific,” she said as she looked up to survey the audience.  “The work you are doing here is terrific.  You are the ‘how’ in ‘how’ we get this done.  This technology is going to allow us to do that.”

Knox said MADD had to change the conversation on drunken driving, when many times offenders were not even believed guilty of a crime.  The benefits derived from AV to the fight against drunken driving are tangible, noting that the safety issue is something with which she identifies.

“Something you’re working on is also how to change the conversation.  I know what it’s like to get ahead of the public perception.

“MADD is here to collaborate,” Knox said.  “We can help tell the story why this technology can help.”

Part 1: Velodyne LiDAR’s Safety Summit
Part 2: Let’s get it started
Part 3: Look, up in the sky!
Part 4: It’s a learning process
Part 5: And now, what about the DMV?
Part 6: Regulations. Responsibility
Part 7: Watch what you drink
Part 8: The driverless car rides
Part 9: That’s a wrap