Lori Martin: Drinking, driving a deadly mix
Drinking, driving a deadly mix
Holiday celebrations normally contain alcoholic beverages. Do not make destructive decisions like drinking and driving.
When I was 16, in April of 1992, a 0.28 blood-alcohol content drunken driver hit me head-on. The collision caused a coma, brain injuries and paralysis with multiple broken and dislocated bones. I stayed in two hospitals for seven months and 17 months of therapy followed. Relearning to walk and talk was difficult.
Although my hearing is damaged, I became a strong partner with the law enforcement two decades ago. We educate people throughout Central San Joaquin Valley about the dangers of impaired driving. Safer roads resulted, and lives have been saved.
In June, I was surprised to receive a certificate and priceless medal from the law enforcement. I am so thankful they noticed my constant work. The public will continue learning how wrong it is to drive drunk.
Holiday “cheer” can impair a person’s driving. I urge all to designate a sober driver before the festivities begin. This person is a hero avoiding alcohol drives those who drink to prevent crashes like mine, including those with fatal outcomes.
Lori Martin, Tracy
This story was originally published November 4, 2014 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Lori Martin: Drinking, driving a deadly mix."