Tracy Press

A teenage victim of a drunken driver is grown up and telling her story to local teens in hopes they'll wise up and stay off the road while intoxicated.

While my friends were having a good time, I was either in a hospital or rehabilitating at a clinic in San Ramon, San Jose or Tracy. This was not in my childhood dreams. I can walk and talk now, but I lost my driving ability and most of my hearing capabilities. I am not deaf, although many think that I am.

Sixteen years have passed since my accident, and I still hear and read about crashes caused by drunken drivers.

Most teens dream of getting their driver’s license, and a new world opens up for them when they get it. Then they have to wait until they are 21 to legally buy and consume alcohol. “Why wait?” they ask and find sly ways of getting booze.

Some figure that having a driver’s license is “adult,” and they should be able to drink, too. They can think this if they want, but they need to learn that mixing drinking and driving is the wrong choice at any age.

In some cases, teens will drink, but they’ll designate a chauffeur who remains sober. This designated driver makes sure everyone has a seat belt and gives them a safe ride home. Does that sound ridiculous? Not at all. That’s the kind of teen driver our roads should have.

Those who have learned the importance of a designated driver and staying sober behind the wheel must make sure others know drunken driving is wrong. If no words work to prevent a drunken person from getting behind the wheel, they can call 9-1-1 to report the drunken driver  — and save lives.

• Lori A. Martin is 32, and she lives and works in Tracy. She joins the California Highway Patrol to talk to teenagers at high schools about the dangers of driving drunk.

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written by B-dub , April 16, 2008

Amen! I agree 100% with Ms Martin's letter. I would like to add that DUI does not only mean drinking and driving, it also includes taking prescription medication that can cause drowsiness and the use of illegal drugs. Think before you get behind the wheel of your car. There is zero tolerence for DUI.

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written by LAM , April 16, 2008

That's right B-dub! People definitely need to think before getting behind the wheel. Better yet, think before alcohol or even drugs is consumed. Doing that, will save lives on the roads.