Drink Drive Widow Helps Launch Festive Campaign
The widow of a cyclist who was knocked down and killed by a speeding drink-driver in Sheffield has chosen to speak out
The widow of a cyclist who was knocked down and killed by a speeding drink-driver in Sheffield has chosen to speak out about losing her husband to help stop it happening to anyone else. Karen Codling's husband Eric was hit in November 2013, the driver was jailed for four years. She's backing a campaign by South Yorkshire Police this Christmas to make more people aware of just how devastating driving over the limit can be. She said: “For the first year, it was like living someone else’s life, it didn’t seem real. “I kept expecting him to come home after work, to give me a hug and ask how my day was, but then the stark, harsh reality would dawn and I’d remember that would never happen again. “His life, our life with our two young daughters, has been cut so very short because of the irresponsible and selfish actions of a drink driver. “She was drunk, twice over the limit and speeding, Eric didn’t stand a chance.
"He was out cycling, as he did every Sunday morning, fully kitted out wearing reflective clothing, his helmet; he was incredibly safety conscious, but he had no control over what happened. It’s absolutely heartbreaking and just makes me want to cry.” Eric was 55-years-old when he was hit by a 26-year-old driver on Whirlowdale Road, close to the junction with Abbey Lane in Sheffield, on Sunday, 3 November 2013 at around 8am. The driver was convicted in July last year of death by dangerous driving, driving while over the prescribed limit, failing to stop at the scene of a collision and failing to report a collision. She was sentenced to four years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for six years on her release, and then she must also take an extended driving test. Karen continued: “It’s really hard, he’s not here and I just miss everything about him. He was a quiet man, but he did have a dry sense of humour and would do anything to help anybody. He used to go for a run every morning and raised lots of money for a local cancer charity through taking part in various races. “He was also a brilliant dad, he loved his girls, he idolised them. They’re 14 and 11-years-old now, and they struggle, as do I. I don’t think we will ever fully come to terms with losing Eric. “If by speaking out about our loss because of the actions of a drink driver, and by supporting the police’s campaign, even if it only prevents one other family having to go through what we have, it will have been 100% worth it and I would urge people to please think twice before getting behind the wheel.” The drink driving strand of the campaign has been funded by South Yorkshire’s Safer Roads Partnership, and will be promoted across the county throughout December via outdoor advertising on billboards and buses, as well as electronic screens in bars and pubs and radio adverts. In addition, a badly damaged car will be placed in town and city centres throughout the month, to highlight to the public the dangers and consequences of drink driving.