According to the CDC there were 56,000 annual highway deaths from drunk driving reported in the late 60's. At the website www.madd.org In 2012 drunk driving killed 10,322 people and injured 345,000. Better built cars? Better state legislation? Better education? Higher insurance? Still, in my opinion, it is not good enough. In self-reported episodes of drunk driving, the CDC reported that drunk drivers got behind the wheel an estimated 112 million times in 2010. This does not include text, or other drugs. Think of all the close calls.
Thinking back on the family reunion in Pennsylvania in 1961, I dedicate this piece to my late parents as I will always recall their immense heartache, and to my little sisters whom I've never had the chance to hug: Mary Elizabeth and Mary Ann Elizabeth, who were named by my father.