McKenzie Law Firm Awards DUI Awareness Scholarship to Gracie Martin of Tigard, OR

    NORRISTOWN, PA, July 31, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- McKenzie Law Firm of Montgomery County, PA has announced its 2020 $2500 McKenzie Law Firm DUI Awareness Scholarship recipient, Gracie Martin, 19, of Tigard, OR.

Martin is a sophomore biology major at Washington State University, Pullman, WA. She is the daughter of Dan and Melia Martin. Gracie responded to the essay prompt: Why do you think many people still engage in drunk driving despite knowing the risks, and what you think you can do to address the issue among your peers?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired driving is involved with 28% of U.S. traffic fatalities.

Martin was also surprised to find out that her generation of 16-25, was responsible for 42% of fatal DUI accidents in 2017.

"When sober, most of my generation is strongly against drinking while driving," she wrote.

Martin also wrote movingly about someone in her family circle whose behavior changes dramatically under the influence of alcohol. Martin quoted "The Great Gatsby" author, F. Scott Fitzgerald: "First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you."

Martin: 'To Remedy the Drinking Problem, Stop Glorifying Drinking'

Martin is determined to be part of the solution. First, she hopes to become a physician, and already has plans to have frank and non-judgmental discussions with her patients before they come to her with alcohol-related problems. "Our first line of defense in remedying this problem is to STOP GLORIFYING drinking," she wrote.

In the short-term, she will be the house manager to her sorority at WSU this fall, and is eager to implement education policies to discourage overdrinking, as well as driving under the influence.

About the McKenzie Law Firm

McKenzie Law Firm is a criminal law firm that practices in five counties. It was founded by David C. McKenzie, who had been a criminal prosecutor. The firm has an AVVO rating of 10 as Top Attorney DUI.

David C. McKenzie believes this scholarship will help young people seriously consider why, with so much public awareness of the dangers of DUI, people continue to drive under the influence.

For more information about the firm and scholarship, visit davidmckenzielawfirm.com or call (610) 680-7842.

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