The "accordion" and what I'll do differently next time

It was something I won't forget. All those years I spoke about my sister's crash, now I was the accident victim.

Screeching of the tires as I tried to brake and the sound of my car crashing into the car in front of me. Then as people rushed over to check and see if I was ok, I stared at the hood of the car. It looked like an accordion. Smashed up...

The EMTs put me on a backboard and I kept telling them "I don't think I'm seriously hurt", this isn't necessary. Their reply: "It's a precaution - just in case". I was making phone calls from the ambulance on the way to Mercy Hospital - to my husband and to my friend to take care of the errand I was headed to.

At the same time, I was shaking like a leaf, feeling the "pins and needles" sensation through my fingers and toes, hoping it would all go away soon.

I was taken to "fast track" - the emergency room at Mercy Hospital. Luckily, no serious injuries, a "negative" on the xray, and within a couple hours, sent home with a soft neck cast...just in case.

It could have been worse, that's what I keep telling myself. I was using a handsfree cell phone device when the crash happened. I should have been paying closer attention to the road. Could have, should have, and so much guilt.

Now I have neck and back pains that make it very uncomfortable to sit up straight. Now, because of the accident, my husband and I have to find another car.

I am learning a hard lesson here - that as busy as I am - rushing from here to there - and trying to do so much at once - that it may be too much.

No more multi-tasking behind the wheel, I'm learning to drive safer and take less chances behind the wheel.

Crusade Against Impaired Driving was established to fight drunk driving in the community, but I'm also an advocate of driving safely sober. I was wearing my seat belt, but it's time to pay closer attention to the road, other drivers, etc.

Lesson learned.

Deanna

Driving Drunk: Results of Study Are Disturbing

A study was just published by the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration that I find very interesting and disturbing at the same time.

15% of drivers nationwide have admitted to driving under the influence at least once in the past year from 2004-2006. Startling...that means more people are putting their lives and innocent lives on the road with them in jeopardy each day and night.

Which state has the worst drunk driving rate? Wisconsin tops the list...so I fear for people in the "Dairy State". More than a quarter of the state's adult drivers had driven under the influence. Rounding out the worst five are North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. Apparently this is a trend in the midwest.

Utah had the lowest incidence of drunken driving. It was the only state where fewer than 10 percent of adult motorists reported driving under the influence. West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky and North Carolina all had drunken driving rates for the prior year of less than 11 percent.

Where does New York rate in the study? Somewhere in the middle - 12.42% to 13.81% admit to driving under the influence. That's still too high of a rate in my opinion. It would be nice if
New York would rate at the bottom of the list. It's wishful thinking at this point, but something that I'd like to see change very soon.

With so many innocent lives on the road each day, it's very scary to me that people continue to make the choice to drink and drive and put so many lives in jeopardy each day. My sister and all those innocent victims is the reason why I continue to speak out against drunk driving, and why I work to change the mindset in the community.

Celebrities Busted

I actually have two blogs that I try to regularly maintain. One on this site and another on Buffalo.com/YourHub.

Click here to read my blog on Carmelo Anthony and Richie Sambora being arrested on drunk driving charges. I welcome all comments.

Deanna

Midnight Muncheez & Hopefully Keeping Drunks Off the Road

It's the first thing many partiers think of after a night of drinking - finding a good place for a late night bite to eat, after all drinking alcohol leads to a "snack attack". Too often that means driving when you are too buzzed or drunk to be on the road.

Now a California business called "Midnight Muncheez" is offering a late night delivery service as a better option. They deliver food, beverages, party supplies and even toiletries, which I find a little strange. Why? In an effort to curb the number of drunk drivers in that community. Last year, there were 1,562 DUI arrests made in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, that's compared to 3,216 in Erie County in 2006. The Newport Beach Police Department supports the mission of the company. As they should, both the police and Midnight Muncheez are trying to keep the drunks off the road.

I think it's a great idea - and something a local business owner here should look into. There are certain areas of the city where it would be a huge success - around the local college campuses for example - Buff State, the Elmwood Avenue area, or even UB South campus - around Main Street. My mission is to keep the drunks off the road, and if that means feeding them by bringing food to their apartments or homes, then I'm all for it.

Deanna

A Letter to Karen

It's hard to put my emotions into words tonight. Ten years ago your life was taken too soon, and here it is almost your birthday. It's supposed to be a happy and joyous occasion. Instead, mom, dad, and I...and all your friends and family will be thinking of you and probably shedding tears.

You would be 29 years old, and I can't help but wonder what if. What if you weren't killed by a drunk driver? Maybe you would be married, maybe you'd have kids, maybe you'd be a successful trainer on a sports team somewhere.

I can't help but wonder how our relationship might have grown. We were just starting to get close. We were emailing each other, and really appreciating each other for what we were....sisters.

You were so close to your friends...and so many of them miss you. Sara is preparing to get married, Tara named her little girl after you, Jackie has *5* kids and thinks of you often. Katie keeps your picture in a special place in her home.

Sometimes it just doesn't seem real. There's still a piece of me who's expecting to wake up from this nightmare any moment. I think that one day I will hear your voice again, one day I may see you at my door again, one day I may hear you laugh or say "Dee" again. Then realism sets in. No, you're never going to do any of that again, because you were stolen away from us. You were killed by someone who was careless and didn't care about his actions, he didn't care about who he hurt when he got intoxicated and drove head on into the car you were riding in.

I've been robbed of you - my little sister - "doubles" . A drunk driver ripped you away from us, and now I'm fighting to make sure other families don't have to go through the same pain.

I love you Karen.

Happy Birthday,

Deanna