At 11.40pm on May 15 last year on a narrow county lane at Milborne St Andrew, Margaret Water-land’s life was shattered.

That was the moment drink-driver Stewart Rosoman smashed into her car – killing her husband David.

Now, with incredibly bravery, she is speaking of the impact that night has had on her family, in a bid to stop others facing the same terrible consequences.

“I went out that night a wife and came home a widow,” she told the Echo.

“David had been my world for almost 40 years, and that night he was snatched from me all because Stewart Rosoman made the selfish decision to get behind the wheel after drinking.

“It’s had an horrific impact,” she added. “One minute you have a family life and the next minute it’s gone.”

After an enjoyable evening spent with friends, Margaret and her husband of 35 years had been driving back to their home in Wareham when the unthinkable happened.

“I remember everything,” said Margaret.

“We had been to friends’ for dinner and we were driving home discussing what we would do the next day and just generally chatting and saying what a nice evening we’d had when suddenly these lights appeared from nowhere.

“David said: “What the...”

“I just screamed. He hit us and that was that. Within five minutes David had gone.”

Rosoman, 51, of Milton Abbas, was convicted of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink and jailed for six years.

During the case the court heard he had been drinking at the Hambro Arms pub for several hours on the day of the crash and had consumed several pints of strong lager.

Forensic examination of the scene showed that his vehicle was on the wrong side of the road at the time of the collision with the Honda Jazz being driven by Mr Waterland.

Since then Margaret has fought to remain strong.

“I have to try to plan something to do each day to give me something to aim for or I would just hibernate,” she added. “I said to my family liaison officer I have a face like Eleanor Rigby just by the door – I put on my happy face when I go out of the house, and I keep my sad face for indoors.”

She added: “Last year was hard – the first Christmas, the first wedding anniversary, the first everything. It was all so difficult. This year is not so bad but it’s still not easy.”

For those still not heeding the drink drive warning she has a simple message.

“My life and my family’s lives have been shattered – but also the person who caused this. His children and his family are suffering.

“Think of your own family before you take the risk. Designate a driver, get a taxi, get a train – it’s very easy.

“By doing this if I can stop one other family going through what we have been through it will be worth it.”

She added: “Everyone has said that David would have been very proud of me. He’s probably looking down thinking ‘you’re saying it all wrong!’ I want to do my best to prevent it happening to someone else. I want to be strong for him.”

Inspect Matt Butler added: “We are really grateful to Margaret. She has been through a such a horrible time and to have to relive that must be awful for her “It brings home the human emotion. This is something that can happen to normal people.

“Normal people’s lives are destroyed, unfortunately far too often, by drink driving. By Margaret giving that message hopefully she will be making and difference and saving a life.”

He added: “Please, if you are going to go out by all means have a drink, have a good time, but don’t get in a car and drive home. It isn’t worth it. Please don’t do it.”