Don’t risk your life, or the lives of others, this Memorial Day
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Listen to these stories and do the right thing: don’t drink and drive.
This Memorial Day isn’t just about resting, having a barbecue, or enjoying time with friends. It’s also about making responsible decisions that can change or save lives. Today, I want to share with you three real stories that deeply impacted me. Stories that show the consequences of a bad decision… and the power to prevent a tragedy with something as simple as using a RideShare.
I can’t imagine the pain of a mother losing her daughter at just 30 years old. The pain of a woman knowing her husband won’t come home alive that day. The pain of a young woman who, at 22, has already undergone more than seven surgeries after an accident that could have been prevented.
Did you know that from 2019 to 2023, there has been a 27% increase in fatal drunk driving crashes in Texas? Well, statistics are not just numbers. They are real people, flesh and blood, who are no longer with us, families mourning the loss of their loved ones, or young people facing the trauma of surviving an experience that could have been fatal.
Tess, Lupita, and Tanya share a reality no one should live through: the consequence of someone else choosing to drive under the influence of alcohol, someone who thought “I’m not that drunk,” who believed “I can drive”… and whose decision changed these families’ lives forever.
At the press conference with Sheriff Gonzalez at Houston TranStar, I had the honor of meeting them. Of hugging them. Of listening to their stories, told with detail, courage, and purpose. I could see how repeating their stories hurts, yet they transform their pain into helping prevent this from happening to anyone else.
Everyone you see here, led by Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and Tess Rowland, has one mission: our safety. They work tirelessly so that this Memorial Day weekend we can enjoy it in peace, with family, friends, smiles… and without tragedies that could have been avoided.
That’s why today I feel deeply grateful and proud to share great news:
Thanks to the support of Responsibility.org, everyone living in Harris County can receive a $15 discount on a RideShare trip with LYFT. This promotion will be available from Friday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. until Monday, May 30 at 11:59 p.m., using the code HCSOMemorialDay.
Share it with your friends and family. If you’re going to drink, plan ahead. Use the code HCSOMemorialDay and get home safe and sound. Don’t become a statistic, and don’t let someone else become one.
And to have a more conscious and responsible summer, here are some practical tips that can make a big difference:
Measure the amount of alcohol you put in each drink individually. Avoid preparing cocktails in large batches; it’s easier to keep control that way.
If you’re hosting, make sure to have non-alcoholic drinks available. That way, those who don’t want to drink can also enjoy something tasty and festive.
Always serve snacks and food alongside the drinks.
Remember your kids are watching and listening. Set a good example. If the kids are seeing this up close, it’s a good opportunity to calmly talk with them about responsible drinking when they are old enough. I’ve shared several articles about how to have those conversations, and we also recorded an episode on the topic on Ciudad H Podcast.
Take a moment to reflect: what is your relationship with alcohol? Why do you consume it? Asking yourself these questions helps you be more aware and maintain a good balance throughout the year.
Don’t drink and drive. Seriously, don’t do it. If you’re going out and plan to drink, use a rideshare service. Remember: residents of Harris County get $15 off LYFT rides from Friday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. to Monday, May 30 at 11:59 p.m. with the code HCSOMemorialDay.
A small change in our routine can save lives. Literally.
