DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Michelle At Highland Park Reservoir

Q: Hi Michelle! What can you tell us about your fine, fine ride?

A: Our car was totaled in April and I had to buy a new one. I was coming home around five one Sunday and drunk driver drove into my lane. I had a broken toe, a broken wrist and whip lash. I was also eight months pregnant and had an air bag injury on my stomach and head.

Q: You were very lucky! Was the other driver injured?

A: Not at all. He was really inebriated and this ended up being his third DUI.

Q: Who came to your aid first?

A: It was a Sunday afternoon so there wasn't as much traffic as during the week. We were blocking both lanes and the oncoming traffic had to stop. The ambulance and police arrived pretty quickly. My husband was recovering from having his wisdom teeth pulled and wasn't answering the phone, so I called my dad. He picked up my husband and they both arrived before the ambulance left.

Q: Was the baby OK?

A: Yes, that was everyone's concern. But I went full term and had a healthy little girl.

Q: What made you choose a Honda?

A: My husband knows a lot about cars and wanted to buy a Honda or a Toyota. The Honda was a good price and had low miles.

Q: Describe a recent trip you have taken.

A: We recently drove to Illinois for a wedding. We also went to Oak Lodge for a weekend and it was lots of fun. It is an estate owned by an investor on Wall Street and it is rented out. It has a huge house on the property along with a chapel and a pool house. It is really beautiful there. It sits on a large piece of property and they make their own maple syrup.

Q: It sounds like a great place. How far is it from Pittsburgh?

A: About an hour away in Doylestown. It is near Ligonier.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve about driving?

A: I really don't like to drive that much. I don't like being stuck in the car and I get really annoyed when I'm stuck in traffic. I used to have a stick shift and it was much more interesting to drive then because you were more occupied with changing gears.