As reported (January 18), following the inquest, our precious son Ben lost his life on October 20 2000 as a result of his car hitting a flint wall.

We now know that Ben had twice the legal alcohol limit in his bloodstream and the evidence suggests that he was not wearing a seatbelt. This has left us, his parents, brothers, family and friends, wondering WHY?

All those other evenings when Ben would go out and drink alcohol he would either leave his car at home or leave it in Brighton and stay at a friend's house in town or get a taxi home and collect his car the next day.

We can only guess at why he would choose to do something that was totally against his usual behaviour.

Did he think "just this one time, it'll be OK"?

But it wasn't. Our son paid the highest price possible for making an error in his normally sound judgement.

He had never had an accident, a 'prang', no points on his licence, but he was not given the luxury of a second or third chance, like so many others are.

In the blink of an eye he was taken from us. So, now we are left in this darkness wondering how we are going to get through the rest of our lives without the son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and good friend that used to light up our lives with his smile.

All we can say is, if you ever think of taking a chance, don't. It's just not worth it. The pain that those left behind have to suffer is unbearable.

-David and Barbara Adams, remaining sons and all of Ben's family and friends, Brighton