One of MADD's most widely recognized programs, Victim Impact Panels, gives victims of drunk driving crashes an opportunity to share their story with first- and second-time DUI offenders. As part of their probation, first- and milti-time DUI offenders are mandated in many jurisdictions to hear the poignant stories of those whose lives have been permanently affected by an impaired driver.

MADD chapters select a panel of three or four victims to speak briefly about the impaired driving collisions in which they were injured or in which a loved one was killed, and how those crashes have impacted their personal lives. Speakers do not blame or judge those who attend the panel. They simply tell their experiences and relate how their lives and families have been affected by the crashes. A Victim Impact Panel Coordinator moderates the panel to monitor time, etc. Victims never speak to groups in which their own offenders are present. There is no interaction between victims and offenders during the panel presentation, however attendees are invited to talk with the speakers after the presentation.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving believes that drunk drivers and potential impaired drivers need to hear what happens to the victims in impaired driving crashes. The Victim Impact Panel is a tool for accomplishing this goal.

Judges, probation officers and military commanders require convicted DUI offenders to attend a Victim Impact Panel as an element of their sentences. The panel does not replace conventional sentencing but adds a creative component to it. Immediately after the sentence is pronounced, the offender is informed, verbally and in writing, of the date, time and place of the panel to be attended. Letters of Compliance are issued to the offenders who attend the panel. Offenders who fail to attend must return to court for appropriate sanction. All offenders who attend the panel must not be impaired by any amount of alcohol or other drugs. Impaired offenders will not be allowed to remain.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that drunk driving recidivism rates are lower among offenders who attend panels. Historically, it also has been believed that serving on panels has mental health benefits for victim speakers. In 1994, Dr. Dorothy Mercer and Dr. Roseanne Lorden, both psychologists at Eastern Kentucky State University , conducted a three-year study to assess this theory.

In the study, 482 drunk driving crash victims who have served on panels were compared to 903 victims who have not. The study showed panelists had more positive psychological adjustment than non-panel victims.

Panelits reported that their lives returned to "near normal" more quickly, their religious faith often strengthened and they had an added sense of purpose or goals. Panelists were more likely than non-panelists to aid in their own healing by seeking the support of others and reported higher levels of social support. Panelists also were less angry with the drunk driver than non-panelists and they felt more in control of their lives.

Additionally, panelists believe that panels will save lives and change people's attitudes and behaviors and provide an opportunity for venting feelings about their crashes. Most panelists (82 percent) reported that participation helped them; 10 percent were neutral. The most common positive reaction was that panel participation made the trauma more bearable and increased self-confidence.

But for some, speaking on panels triggered a temporary return of negative experiences such as intrusive thoughts (22 percent), nightmares (10 percent), depression (17 percent) and anger (25 percent). Very few (1 percent) thought that panel participation was "very harmful;" slightly more found panel participation "moderately harmful" (3 percent) or "mildly harmful" (4 percent).

One possible explanation for better functioning among panelists is that they may be better adjusted people. However, panelists and non-panelists didn't differ on reported pre-crash functioning. MADD participation in other areas didn't explain the differences either because many non-panelists were active with MADD in other ways.

But on average, a longer time had elapsed since their crashes for panelists than for non-panelists. Although about one-fourth of both groups had sought pre-crash mental health counseling, more panelists sought counseling after their crashes than did non-panelists.

Statistical tests showed that passage of time and more counseling also accounted for differences regarding depression, self-esteem, total support received, avoidance, intrusive recollections, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and life satisfaction. But even after statistically controlling for the influences of time and counseling, the study showed that panel participation significantly helped victims.

Panels enable victims to "re-experience" their trauma with a high degree of control, build supportive relationships with other panelists, reduce anger and increase self-confidence.