July 4 celebrations may be foremost for many New Yorkers this week; meanwhile, the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, New York State Police and STOP-DWI are working to keep roads safe and stop drunk and drugged driving.

One choice, a DWI crash survivor says, could completely change or save your life.

Wendy Peters shares her story as often as she can to try to prevent anyone from going through what she’s going through. On Nov. 6, 1997, Wendy chose to get into a car with her friend, whose blood alcohol level was .18. The friend then ran a stop sign in the Town of Schroeppel and hit another car.

“My friend died instantly. And the car we crashed into ... the driver was the only person and she also died," says Peters. "I had many injuries. Broken bones. The main injury that I had, was whatever I hit was down to the bone and ... I was in a coma for two weeks. I had amnesia for two weeks and I died three times.”

Peters and officials suggest everyone drinking should have a plan, including not driving, and not getting into a car with anyone that’s been drinking.

DWI checkpoints and increased patrols will be added starting today through midnight on Sunday.