Lori Martin: Holidays are here, but so are the drunken drivers – be careful
Let holiday celebrations begin! Most festive events have alcohol and they seem to go together like Santa and his sleigh, resolutions on New Year’s Eve and football on New Year’s Day. Many people will travel through the Bay Area, Central and North Coast, Central Valley, our deserts, foothills and the Sierra. Traffic and weather conditions cause problems on roadways, but so do drunken drivers.
When I was 16, in 1992, I was hit head-on by a drunken driver. Schooling and playing sports against other San Joaquin County high schools ended. The crash put me in a coma for 100 days with several broken and dislocated bones, paralysis and brain injuries. I stayed at two hospitals for seven months followed by 17 months of therapy. A drunken driver changed my life. My hearing, talking and walking are damaged.
If drinking, please have a sober driver to drive you. If not, tragedy could result. I know. Do not begin 2017 with a DUI on your record.
Lori Martin, Tracy
This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 4:29 PM with the headline "Lori Martin: Holidays are here, but so are the drunken drivers – be careful."