Think before you drive on NYE

Safe driving on New Year's Eve

FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis reports on a Hillsborough County woman who lost her sister to a drunk driver forty-one years ago as she tried to educate the public about the dangers of drunk driving this holiday season.

TAMPA, Fla. - A Hillsborough County woman is educating about the dangers of drunk driving this holiday season.

Forty-one years ago, Linda Unfried of Temple Terrace lost her sister Josie to a drunk driver.

Linda Unfried is holding a picture of her sister Josie, who was killed by a drunk driver 41 years ago.

"It was horrible because you don’t have time to say goodbye," Unfried said.

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Unfried explained how the tragedy changed her family's life.

Drive sober or get pulled over initiative ongoing in the Bay Area.

"I could hear my mom screaming from outside. I could hear her screaming. It was awful. It’s something no one should ever, ever have to experience," Unfried said. "I know the pain. It’s been 41 years, and it still hurts like heck. It’s so hard.

Especially during the holidays and knowing there are still people out there drinking and driving." Shortly after, she co-founded the Hillsborough County Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) chapter.

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Unfried said Hillsborough County takes the lead in drunk driving deaths and injuries in the state of Florida.

DUI incident in the Bay Area.

Before New Year's Eve, Unfried stressed the importance of thinking before getting behind the wheel.

"You could not only kill someone else but kill someone in your family. You could kill yourself. It’s just not worth it," Unfried said. "We want to save other families from going through the hell that my family went through and everyone else’s family goes through."

Unfried encourages residents to take advantage of rideshares and public transportation.

"On holidays, they have Tow to Go. Which also takes your car home and you. As long as you have a valid driver's license, and you’re within a certain number of miles."

For more information on AAA's 'Tow to Go' program, click here.

For more information on MADD, click here.

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