Bereaved Barry parents in drink-driving plea (From Barry And District News)

Bereaved Barry parents in drink-driving plea

7:40am Thursday 26th November 2009

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A BARRY mum and dad whose teenage son died after being hit by a drink-driver are urging motorists not to cause a similar tragedy.

Pedestrian Aaron Palmer, 18, was struck by a driver who was twice the legal limit on Boxing Day, 2003.

His parents Roger and Kerry Palmer made their plea at the launch of Road Safety Week and national road safety charity Brake’s 'Not a Drop, Not a Drag' campaign – as a survey of drink- and drug-driving in the region revealed shocking findings.

Since Aaron's death, Mr Palmer has taken a 25,000-name petition to Downing Street calling for those convicted of drink-driving to be banned from driving for life.

Roger, 50, of Evelyn Street, said: "My son has been dead six years – and I don’t see any change.

"Drivers are still driving drunk, and people are still dying."

He said people don't realise how long drink or drugs stay in the system and the effect the substances have on them.

They also don't appreciate the consequences of their actions on the victims’ families, added Roger.

"The families have the life sentence," he said.

"Drink-driving isn’t just at Christmas – it’s all year round.

"If this campaign saves one person’s life, it will be worth it."

The bereaved parents took part in the launch holding a wreath to commemorate people killed and maimed in the region by drink- and drug-drivers, carrying the clear message: ‘Not a drop, not a drag’.

Brake, the charity that organises the national awareness-raising week with the support of the Department for Transport, 3m and Alcosense, also released the shocking findings of a survey.

Brake’s survey of 226 drivers aged 17 to 25 revealed almost one in ten young drivers (9 per cent) admit to driving after drinking alcohol, with more than half of these saying they have done it more than once.

One in 25 young drivers (four per cent) admit to driving after taking illegal drugs, with three-quarters of these saying they have done it more than once.

Vale MP John Smith, who has backed the Palmers' petition over the years, said: "I am asking all drivers in the Vale of Glamorgan to make a personal commitment not to risk a drop of alcohol, or any illegal drug, if they are getting behind the wheel."

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