Devastated Dyserth parents warn of drink-driving dangers

Dec 3 2008 by Justine Bailey, Denbigh Visitor

THE parents of a Dyserth waitress whose death was caused by dangerous driving in January have spoken about their loss in a bid to stop people drink-driving this Christmas.

Twenty-year-old Amanda Coulton died in a two-car crash on the A547 Abergele Road near Rhuddlan late on January 7.

In June, 28-year-old Daniel Storey, of Clwyd Avenue, Rhuddlan, admitted he was two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit when he overtook another car and smashed head-on into the Peugeot 206 Amanda was a passenger in.

There were also traces of cocaine in Storey’s system. He did not have a driving licence, was not insured and had no tax.

At the launch of this Christmas’ Welsh Assembly Government and Police anti drink drive campaign in Caernarfon last week, the family of Amanda gave a personal account of how the ordeal has affected them.

“There are no words to describe the devastation that’s been caused to our family,” said her mother Amanda Coulton.

“Too many innocent people are killed by unfit drivers leaving family members and friends grieving.

“Amanda loved everything she did and had so many expectations. Her last words on her Bebo page were ‘I have the perfect life’ – how cruel for someone so happy in life to have it taken away.”

As part of this year’s campaign the police are warning they will take robust action against anyone caught drinking and driving.

“For over 30 years the government has been campaigning to change attitudes and help cut alcohol-related road deaths, but there are still too many families and too many individuals whose lives are being shattered by drink-drive related injuries and fatalities,” said Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport.

Over the next four weeks thousands of motorists face being stopped as teams from the four forces, North Wales, Dyfed Powys, South Wales and Gwent, conduct road checks at various locations across the country.

Chief Superintendent John Turton from North Wales Police’s Operational Support Division said: “There will be a zero tolerance approach, both before and after Christmas and if you break the law and drive over the limit, you not only run the risk of disqualification and a criminal prosecution, but you risk your own life as well as the lives of other road users.”