The next time you're driving on a highway in Dallas County, you might spot a very realistic billboard warning you about the dangers of drinking and driving. It might even pull right in front of you.
Around Christmas and New Year's Eve, several wreckers will be on the roads carrying vehicles that were involved in real DWI wrecks.
They'll also have signs on them that show common excuses people give for why they drink and drive -- phrases like, "I pay more attention when I drive drunk."
The campaign is the brain child of the Dallas County DWI Task Force and AAA Texas.
They're calling it "What Alcohol Says."
"Alcohol lies," said Doug Shupe, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "What alcohol says is -- it makes people think they're going to be okay, when in reality, they're not."
Tonya Winchester thought she would be OK 11 years ago when she got into a friend's car after they'd all been drinking. That night, they collided with an 18-wheeler after her friend drove through a stop sign. The wreck left her paralyzed.
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"Now, I realize that every decision we make impacts us not just in that moment but our future, our hopes, our dreams," said Winchester, who now works with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
She's hopeful the new campaign will stop people from making the same mistake she did.
"We are visual learners," said Winchester. "We need these visual reminders to be like -- wow, that happened. And that could happen."
Although this campaign focuses primarily on drunk driving, officials want to remind drivers that drugged driving is just as dangerous and police will be cracking down those folks, as well.
