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SALT LAKE CITY — Law enforcement officers and a victim of a DUI accident teamed up Tuesday to remind everyone to give the gift of a sober roadway this holiday season.
Sales increase at Utah's 44 liquor stores between now and New Year's. This year as people make their purchases, 200 snowflakes hanging from the ceiling will greet them, a sober reminder of the consequences of drunk driving.
Regional manager of the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Val Dunaway said, "Each of these snowflakes features a name and the date that person lost their life due to a drunk driver."
"The pain is real. It's a life sentence," said drunk driving victim Chris Williams who attended the Tuesday's unveiling of the snowflakes.
Nearly 10 years ago a 17-year-old drunken driver crashed into his family, killing his pregnant wife of 20 years and two of his three children seated in the car.
"I know that those who come into these stores will see a name on a snowflake. To me they represent lost opportunities. They represent opportunities not to hold them, see them grow up. They also represent to me the pain and grief that I have lived with being separated from them," Williams said.
He wants to make sure no one else suffers and said he was there, "to make sure that people understand that there's an impact to decisions, that if you can make a plan to prevent another snowflake, another tragedy from happening then this is worth it."
Law enforcement officers say they will also do their part. In the coming weeks, officers across the state will work more than 250 overtime shifts. Utah Highway Patrol trooper Lawrence Hopper said, "Whatever it takes just don't get behind the wheel because we will be out there and we will be looking for you."
Every instance of drunk driving is 100 percent preventable. Hopper said the key is if you are planning to drink, make a plan to get home safely before you start.
