News 12 First @ Five -- February 1, 2010

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. --- It's seems so simple to have a few drinks while having a night on the town. You think you're okay to drive, you get behind the wheel but you may never make it home.

"It takes a split second and there's some things you can't take back," said Joy G. Batchelor. She lost all three of her sons in a car accident in 2002. Fifteen year old Ashton, 13-year old Brandon and 11-year old Drew. Her ex-husband, Michael Batchelor, was convicted of DUI for letting his 15 year old son Ashton drive drunk. He tried to appeal his conviction twice but was denied.

"It's a different story when it happens to you. Everybody thinks they're okay and say I drive better when I'm drunk but you don't," said Batchelor.

Aiken Public Safety says they've seen their alcohol related arrests increase forty percent from 2008 to 2009 with DUI leading the pack. They say the reason their arrests are up they're now training officers to look for specific signs to spot DUIs and other signs of illegal use of alcohol.

Law enforcement says the next time you think about drinking and driving. You may need to think twice about who gets behind the wheel to take you home. "There are a lot of people out there, all you have to do is pick up the phone if you're too drunk to drive," said Batchelor.

Now with tougher fines and penalties for alcohol related arrests, Joy has a message for teens planning to drink on prom night.

"Prom's a big deal. Wake up, be here tomorrow so you can tell everybody about the great night you had. Don't let it end with your family sitting in the morgue or the hospital," said Batchelor.

It's a familiar scene this mother says she's been a part of one too many times and says she wants to make sure no other mother has to bear the same burden.