Councillor's Emotional Plea After Personal Loss

Press Release Date: 30 November 2010

Tameside Council's Christmas drink drive campaign couldn't be more poignant this year.

Local councillor Vinny Ricci tragically lost his father just two weeks ago when the 79-year-old was knocked down in an accident involving someone driving over the legal alcohol limit.

Now Cllr Ricci has recounted his loss in a short film, produced by the council, to send out a powerful message about the devastating consequences of drink driving.

The film, which juxtaposes Cllr Ricci speaking movingly about his father alongside the cold reality of drink drive statistics, has been posted on Youtube and Facebook and can also be viewed on the council's website at www.tameside.gov.uk/alcohol/drinking

Cllr Ricci hopes the personal angle to the drink drive campaign will help to give would-be drink drivers a wake up call.

He said: “My mum had nursed my dad through a number of life-threatening illnesses only for this to happen. All he was doing was walking to the shop for a morning newspaper.

“My dad was the only boyfriend my mum ever had and now she’s lost her soul mate and all because of someone drink driving. It’s so stupid and such a waste and has obviously devastated the whole family.

"The same drink drive message goes out every year and no matter how important, it can get stale and people stop listening. It’s the day after that people forget about as the stats on the video show. People may take precautions the night they are drinking but seem to forget their responsibilities the morning after and think it’s fine to drive. I just hope this short film will make them stop and listen."

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