A Midlands mother has issued a heart-wrenching Christmas warning about the devastating consequences of drink and drug driving, after her teenage daughter was left with serious injuries in a crash last summer.
A Celebration Turned to Tragedy
Amelia, then 18, was out with friends celebrating the end of her A-levels when the car she was travelling in crashed into a tree. The collision happened on Weddington Lane at the A5 in Caldecot, near Nuneaton, on the 12th of June last year.
The young woman sustained a significant brain injury in the crash and was rushed to University Hospital Coventry. Her mother, Victoria, kept a vigil by her hospital bed for nine agonising days, praying for her survival.
A Lifetime of Consequences from One Bad Choice
After Amelia was eventually discharged, Victoria and her family became her full-time carers. Their lives are now dominated by monthly medical appointments that require them to travel across the country for ongoing treatment.
In a direct appeal to anyone considering getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs, Victoria stated: "One bad choice can change everything. For you, your passengers, and your family."
She urged people to always opt for zero-percent drinks if they are driving and emphasised the wider impact of a conviction. "A drink or drug conviction could affect your freedom, social life, even your job," she warned.
A Call to Action for Parents and Drivers
Victoria also directed a message to parents, encouraging them to set firm boundaries for their young adult drivers. "Set the ground rules. You're not going out in a car full of friends. You're not getting in a car with someone who's just passed their test," she advised.
She stressed that studies show teens with actively engaged parents are far less likely to take risks on the road. Her plea is for others to speak up before it is too late.
The statistics in Warwickshire are stark: drink or drug driving is a factor in one in every seven fatal or serious collisions. This festive season, Warwickshire Police are increasing roadside tests as part of the national Operation Limit crackdown.
The 18-year-old driver responsible for the crash that injured Amelia received a 16-month suspended jail sentence, a two-year suspension period, 250 hours of unpaid work, and a three-year driving ban. He was also placed on an alcohol treatment programme and given an overnight curfew.
Victoria's final, simple message to all road users this Christmas is: "Think before you drive and don't risk it. If you've been drinking or using drugs, don't drive. Ever."
