IT'S Sunday October 21 at 4:42 am. I have just returned home from a great night on the Avenue.

Yes, although I may have had a couple drinks, I know that I am capable of safely driving home...and guess what? I did indeed make it home safely.

Unfortunately, Kevin (not his real name) cannot say the same.

I just witnessed a major accident on Cocorite Road, Arima. Kevin was pinned behind his steering wheel... bleeding...screaming. The entire front of his brand new car smashed! His wind- shield shattered, pieces of glass and bits of his car strewn all over the road. He was in agony, and his legs seemed to have been broken. He was disoriented. Blood poured from his nose and his forehead. Worst of all, it was most apparent that he had been drinking. His friends had escaped but Kevin was trapped! He incoherently shouted words of disbelief and regret as one of his friends spoke to his mother on the phone.

"No! NO! Nah man!" No! Oh God! No!"

I, along with many other onlookers, made calls to the police and the fire services. Within 15 minutes they arrived.

One thousand kudos to the Arima Fire and Police Services! Rarely do we hear of the public thanking these agencies. After all, it's "all in a day's work" for them to save our lives.

To Kevin and others, please stop the drinking and driving.

Designate a driver, spend the night by a friend, take a taxi, call your daddy to come get you, wait till you sober up. Whatever you do, do not drink and drive! Your very life is at stake .You will leave many behind to suffer.

This has been my wake-up call. Yes, I may have made it home safely this time, but I'm sure that Kevin would have thought the same.

Bryan Delerue

Arima