Published Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Vanessa Ledgewood's 22-year-old brother, Gareth Farrelly, died after being hit by a drink driver in Draperstown in 2002.
"Our lives have never been the same, we are just getting through, it is a very difficult time," Vanessa told UTV.
"My mum and dad's life is on standstill since my brother was killed."
"Gareth was the last at home and they were so used to him coming in for his tea and his lunch, even now there is a feeling as if they are still waiting for that door to open and Gareth to walk through," she added.
The 19-year-old who killed Gareth spent 18 months in the Young Offenders' Centre.
Vanessa believes the police should carry out more checks and introduce roadside drug testing.
The charity Brake said too many young people in Northern Ireland are taking drugs and drinking before getting behind the wheel of a car.
"Brake has done a survey with 5000 young people and we found that in Northern Ireland 1 in 12 young drivers will admit to drink driving and 1 in 25 admit to driving having taken illegal drugs," said Katie Sheppard from Brake.
"This is a shockingly high number and we are calling on people to stop."
"They are risking their lives, their friends lives and the lives of innocent road users," she added.
One hundred and four people have died on Northern Ireland's roads so far this year, compared to 107 in 2008.
Brake insists the Government must now fall into line with the rest of Europe and reduce the drink driving limit from 80mg to 20mg per 100ml of blood, and potentially save hundreds of lives every year.
