SUFFOLK: Nearly a year after his daughter was killed by a drink-driver in a head-on crash, David Lee is today launching Suffolk Police’s Christmas drink-drive awareness campaign.

Sarah Lee was killed near Stutton on December 5 last year, as she returned home to Colchester after setting up an art display at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook.

The 24-year-old teacher died when an Audi 100 driven by Matt Anderson, 24, from Holbrook, crashed into her Ford Focus in Manningtree Road.

An inquest discovered Mr Anderson, who was also killed, was two-and-a-half times the legal limit and was travelling at 60-80mph on the wrong side of the road when the fatal crash happened.

Today in a bid to raise awareness Mr Lee is urging everyone to take a stand against drink-driving, and take responsibility to stop friends and family from getting behind the wheel after having a drink.

Mr Lee called for “collective action” to highlight the message that drink-driving is socially unacceptable.

“It requires a major culture change, such that we no longer tolerate people attempting to ‘get away with it’,” he said.

“It is very easy to heap all of the blame on the driver, but I believe we need to acknowledge our collective responsibility to prevent that person from getting behind the wheel after having had a drink.

“My lovely daughter’s life was cruelly and needlessly ended by the self-indulgence of another individual.

“If you are aware that someone who has been drinking might be planning to drive, talk to them about it – persuade them not to, and help them find alternative transport.

“If they can’t be easily persuaded, remove their car keys or let them know you would be prepared to call the police.

“Please don’t let this be an idle threat – your actions could save a life.”

Police officers in Suffolk will be out breathalysing drivers and they will be on hand at railway stations across the county to offer voluntary breath tests to commuters.