‘Closer to home’: Nonprofit introduces new way to curb reckless driving in South Carolina

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) SC introduced a powerful new tool to try and warn motorists against driving under the influence.

“It’s something that, you know, we have to wake up and think about every day,” said Trevor Rubenzer.

Rubenzer’s 11-year-old son, Ethan, was on the way to school in 2019 when an intoxicated driver took his life.

“It’s been over six years, but it’s not something that gets better or heals,” Rubenzer expressed. “It’s something that changes and that you adapt to overtime.”

Ethans face is printed on the backs of thousands of ticket folders that MADD distributed to law enforcement agencies across the state.

Deputies with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the importance of responsible driving.

“It’s important that the community is aware of the risk of driving impaired and that’s what these folders are pamphlets do,” said Lt. Graham McLellan with the sheriff’s office. “They educate people on the risk that can be associated and give people a face to think about, that a family that’s been affected by that decision before they make that decision.” 

Ethan’s story is part of a bigger mission — one that puts real victims’ faces in front of drivers in a moment that deputies said they’re most likely to listen.

“The hope is that it’ll hit closer to home. People will see that it could’ve been [their] loved one. It could’ve been [their] family,” McLellan added. “I’m a statistics guy, but it more [meaningful] when you see somebody’s face and you see their story.”

MADD South Carolina leaders said the goal is to make people think twice before making a choice they cannot take back — better yet, to make drivers plan ahead before using drugs or alcohol.

“It’s 100% preventable. There’s no reason for that to happen at all.” Rubenzer concluded. “It’s just not worth it. Make a plan, [order] an Uber, do these things before you ever set foot out the door and you’ll make much better decision decisions.”

Spartanburg County deputies said they will work to get the folders into the hands of younger drivers, in hopes to encourage good decision-making and save lives.