NDDOT, Deutscher Family Campaign Against Impaired Driving - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

As a bill to toughen penalties for DUI offenders makes it's way through the North Dakota legislature, the North Dakota Department of Transportation and the relatives of a West Fargo family killed in a crash, continue to push their message about impaired driving.

The NDDOT worked in partnership with Arlene and Tom Deutscher of Bismarck to bring awareness to the deadly consequences of drinking and driving. The Bismarck family's message will be released this week through a multi-faceted safety campaign utilizing television, radio, social media and billboards across the state.

In the safety message, Tom and Arlene Deutscher discuss how a tragic crash affected them last July, when their son, Aaron Deutscher, his wife Allison, their 18-month-old daughter Brielle and their unborn baby, were on their way to a family reunion when a drunk driver, traveling the wrong way on I-94, collided head-on with their vehicle. Everyone was instantly killed. Tom and Arlene went from planning a family reunion to planning a family funeral.

"The Deutscher's have made a bold choice to take their tragedy and turn it into an opportunity to save lives," says Nelson. "The overall message we want to get across with the Deutscher campaign is that it's not worth it. Don't drive drunk. It's that simple, just don't do it."

The 60-second Deutscher safety message can also be found on NDDOT's Facebook page.