Drinking and driving seems to have become some kind of "acceptable" way to break the law. It's like, if you've been cited with a DUI, oh that's not so bad. Sure, everyone SAYS it's a bad idea and everyone SAYS they'd never do it, but all you have to do is look at the statistics - not every DUI results in an accident, but every DUI is a potential accident, and that's not even counting the people who drive drunk and don't get caught. I don't know what it's like in other countries, but in America the vast number of people who have a drink and then get behind the wheel of a car is just one more example of our lack of self-control, discipline, and regard for others. It is one more example of of our carelessness and selfishness.
I refuse to drive if I've even had ONE drink - why take the chance? why risk it? Just because you don't FEEL impaired doesn't mean you aren't.
I'm so beyond sorry for the loss of your friend to such a senseless, completely preventable crime. The punishment for crimes like this should be more harsh, but ultimately our attitude of acceptance needs to change. (What I mean is, I know everyone is appalled when a drunk driver kills an innocent person, but how many people do you know, honestly, who think it's okay to drive after having 2 or 3 beers or glasses of wine? Think about it.)