WAKE up with a hangover - not with the horror and regret of having killed someone.
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That's the plea from a mother who lost her daughter to a drink-driver and is desperate to prevent more tragedies like theirs.
It's been more than 10 years since Judy Lindsay lost her only child, Hayley, and while her story devastates her every time she tells it, she wants to use it as a wake-up call.
The Brisbane woman is in the region this week as an ambassador for Citizens Against Road Slaughter (CARS), urging people: "Make better choices."
Ms Lindsay is telling about the worst day of her life hoping to prompt a change in driver behaviour.
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She's stationed at the Nutrien Classic Campdraft until Monday, and has also talked to police in Tamworth and Gunnedah about guest-speaking at future road safety events.
She believes there is power in hearing someone tell their story: "The more personal you can get, the better."
Hayley, 20, died in a crash in Brisbane while getting a lift to work. The driver was drunk and wouldn't let her out of the car.
"If you're going to drink ... get a cab, take a swag, get a designated driver," Ms Lindsay said.
"Instead of waking up the next day thinking, 'I killed someone last night,' all you're going to do is wake up with a hangover.
"You're not going to wake up with the regret of taking someone's life."
Along with education, and helping families in legal proceedings and with referrals, Ms Lindsay and CARS advocate for attitudinal driver programs, harsher penalties and interlocking devices for repeat offenders.
Asked why people take risks at the wheel, Ms Lindsay pauses.
"I don't think that they're fully aware of the damage that it causes ... When you've taken someone's life, you destroy many lives around you.
"I don't think they understand that."