'It's not worth it' grieving Teesdale mum warns motorists

Nick Davidson

THE mother of a Teesdale man who died in a horrific car crash is urging motorists not to get behind the wheel when under the influence of drink or drugs.
Anita Thompson is backing Road Safety GB North East’s campaign, in the hope it saves lives during the festive period.
Mrs Thompson’s 27-year-old son, Nick Davidson, and his friend Grant Benson, aged 21, were killed when the car they were travelling in crashed into a tree, ricocheted into another tree and burst into flames.
More than two years on, both families remain devastated, and Mrs Thompson now works hard to alert people to the dangers of drink driving, and to educate them on how it can tear lives apart.
She has also helped RoadPeace North-East launch their official road safety website.
“If I can help prevent even just one family from going through this devastation, that’s positive,” said Mrs Thompson, from Middleton-in-Teesdale.
“I cannot and will not allow Nick’s death to become just another statistic.”
 Her son and his friend had been for a night out in Barnard Castle. After returning to Mr Benson’s house, for reasons unknown, they decided to go out for a drive in his high-powered Audi A4 Quattro.
In the early hours, Mr Benson lost control of the car on a rural road near Whorlton, crashing into two trees, killing Mr Davidson instantly and badly injuring himself.
Trapped in the wreckage, Mr Benson was able to dial 999, but the emergency services were unable to reach him in time and he died after the car burst into flames.
Police found the driver had been one-and-a-half times over the drink drive limit at the time of the accident.
Mrs Thompson said: “If we expect people to make an informed decision, they need to know all the facts, and they need to know what all the potential consequences of a bad choice are. I want them to understand that young drivers are a particularly high-risk group.
 “My message to motorists is don’t drive after drink or drugs. It’s really not worth the risk; think of your family.”
Mrs Thompson said she was still coming to terms with her son’s death, adding that Christmas was a particularly difficult time.
She said she planned to visit the churchyard on Christmas morning.
“No parent should have to do that,” she said.
Paul Watson, chairman of RSGB NE, said: “Nick and Grant’s deaths are a stark reminder of the dangers of drink driving.
 “Having just one or two drinks can badly impair your judgement, and dull your reaction times, in this case with tragic consequences.
 “People need to be aware of the dangers of drink and drug driving and how it can tear the lives of families apart.
“It’s easy to go out with the intention of having one drink, but unfortunately during the Christmas period some people get carried away and that’s when accidents happen.”
 Mr Watson reminded drivers that they can still be over the limit the morning after a night out. He added: “The message is simple, plan your night out and either drive and stay sober or leave the car at home.”
Between 2011 and 2015, 46 people were killed on the region’s roads due to a suspected drink/drug driver, 297 were seriously injured, and a further 1,567 were slightly injured.
In 2015 alone, 80 people were killed or seriously injured – the highest number for six years.
Police Inspector Mark Pitt, of Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “Everyone has a responsibility to look out for a driver getting into a vehicle who they believe could be impaired by either drink or drugs and therefore will be a danger on the road by contacting police and helping us to keep our roads safe.”