My Friend Died Because You Decided To Drink And Drive | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

My Friend Died Because You Decided To Drink And Drive

Every time you get in your car, you are putting your life and the lives of those around you at stake.

73
My Friend Died Because You Decided To Drink And Drive
Brianne Safer

On June 20th, 2016, I found out my very close friend was killed by a drunk driver. She and her two friends were coming back from a trip to the Grand Canyon over a long weekend before their summer term classes began. The person who hit my friend's car was driving under the influence, speeding away at 100mph from a hit and run, driving on the wrong side of the highway.

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, someone is killed every 51 minutes from a drunk driving car crash. All it takes is a split second to ruin your future and/or injure or kill those around you.

Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable. Plan ahead, have a non-drinking designated driver. Plan ahead by arranging an alternative ride home, such as a taxi or asking a sober friend to pick you up. If you decide to drink, choose to not drink to get drunk. If you feel as though you cannot control your drinking habits, please know help is out there. Look out for your friends. Help those whose judgement may be impaired get home safely, whether that be taking their keys or calling for a taxi. The choices you make do not only affect just you. Every time you get in your car, you are putting your life and the lives of those around you at stake.

If someone had stopped this person from drinking and driving by taking their keys or arranging a safe ride home for them, my friend would still be alive. If this person hadn’t made the decision to drink to the point that their judgement was impaired, my friend would still be alive. The person who killed my friend made an awful choice to drive a car intoxicated. Because of that choice, my friend doesn’t get to see her family again, complete her degree or travel the world like she wanted to. She will not graduate from college, walk down the aisle or watch her siblings grow up. I miss my friend more and more every day. She was taken from Earth far too early. Although she will remain in my heart and mind forever, time will not heal this loss.

My hope is that by sharing this story, it will inspire at least one person to think and reflect the next time they find themselves able to make a difference in a situation to prevent drunk driving. Whether that means you will turn down "just one more," take the keys away from a friend that's had a little too much, or most importantly, not get behind the wheel after having had one too many. I hope to encourage others to think about the future, and not just the now, and consider the consequences of the decisions they make, for better or for worse.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198067
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19557
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461415
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28608
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments