Maryland Remembers Drunk Driving Accident Victims

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- What should be the happiest time of the year is actually the deadliest time of year when it comes to impaired driving.  Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is when the largest number of alcohol-related traffic deaths occur.  Mary Bubala reports Tuesday, Maryland took time to remember its victims.

Surviving family members joined state officials Tuesday at the Maryland Remembers ceremony to issue a call to action to get people to stop driving drunk.

"It's reckless.  Think before you act," said Aaliyah Brown.

Victoria and Aaliyah Brown are among the dozens of families living with the horror of drunk driving.  They were coming home from a movie six years ago when a speeding drunk driver crashed into them, killing 12-year-old Darius.

"I wasn't sure if I was dreaming but I felt something resting on my shoulder and I turned around and it was my son," Victoria Brown said.

Victoria lives with the ultimate irony: a year before his death, Darius won first prize in an essay contest, writing about the impact of drinking and driving.

"In that paper, he said it was reckless, it was senseless and people should think before they drink," Brown said.

Despite the state's education and enforcement efforts, Maryland actually saw an increase in alcohol-related deaths last year.  In 2008, 145 people were killed on Maryland roadways; in 2009, that number rose to 162.

"We need to continue working on reducing drunk driving in Maryland," said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown.

Tuesday's ceremony paid tribute to Maryland's victims of drunk driving and called on everyone to think before they get behind the wheel.

As part of the state's enforcement and education campaign, new signs are being posted throughout Maryland to warn motorists that a new impaired driving campaign is underway.