Dear editor, Thank you for taking the time to do such an in-depth report on drinking and driving involving the physiological effects on the brain, the cost to human life and the necessity to search for solutions. Your recent articles and positive responses give me hope to continue working towards solutions in reducing DUI tragedies.

I am appreciative of the time your reporter, Alisha Wyman, took with me and my son in addition to the time your photographer, Jorgen Gulliksen, spent at our home.

Our stories were difficult to tell and to stomach, and they did so bravely. They understood.

In reading responses to this article online, I am also heartened to hear the positive acknowledgment of this very serious problem in our society. In the five years since my son’s death, three family members and five friends have received DUIs.

These people loved my son Ben, yet they did not correlate Ben’s death with their actions. This behavior provides undeniable proof that no one can make good decisions when impaired by the effects of alcohol. No one can drink and drive.

Recently, Mothers Against Drunk Driving was successful lobbying for Breathalyzer devices for all DUI convictions in California. We, as individuals, must also lobby for improving the DUI status quo.

The Napa DUI Task Force, its supporters and the Register have brought this very important crisis to the forefront. To save one person’s life is a sobering, serious goal. Many thanks to the Register for increasing our awareness about this important lifesaving issue!

Lori Cagwin (Leavy) / Yountville