OT - buckle those belts!

Just venting among friends...

I think I'm preaching to the choir, but I wanted to remind everybody to
buckle up. Earlier this week a relative was involved in an auto accident
with her 7 year old daughter in the passenger seat. She rear-ended a truck
at an undetermined speed (in town). The belted daughter was unhurt but the
unbelted driver plunged forward onto the steering wheel, which grievously
injured her liver. How she survived long enough to get to the hospital is a
mystery, but she is now recovering. Her chances of survival are estimated
around 75% - although she could suddenly bleed to death anytime in the next
few months. She is not conscious yet. When she does regain consciousness she
won't be happy to learn she must not sit up for many months (details are a
little vague.) If all goes well she should fully recover in a year.

I've been a seat belt fanatic since two of my brothers emerged unhurt from
separate roll-overs back in the 70s. I am saddened and shocked when people
don't buckle up. I just get so tired of seeing senseless tragedy.

Mike

 

Good post. I think personal anecdotes often persuade better
than statistics. I hope your relative's recovery goes as
smoothly as possible.

 

------------------------------------

We visit a friend who is permanently in a wheelchair. She has minimal
use of her hands too. She rear-ended a car at about 20 MPH, and it was
on a rare day when she wasn't using her seatbelt. Her neck is broken.

Seat belts can hurt like hell when you get in a major accident (like
cart-wheeling a volvo), but that passes in a few days. Dead is forever.

'Curly'

 

I agree.

Here's mine:
My car was broadsided by a drunk driver who ran a red light. It was a
busy intersection, just after sunset. Between the impact and the
brakes, my car did a 180 and ended up facing opposing traffic.

The car was totaled.

But I had only a small scratch on my lip from flying glass.

My passenger was unharmed.



Here's another safety tip:
A car is not a safe place to ride out a tornado.

I've heard from several people who once believed that a car would
protect them from all the flying debris that tornado force winds will
create.

Here's what really happens.
http://flickr.com/photos/not_quite_nashville/sets/72057594106328974/


--Nan

 

Agreed. Fortunately I'm a loyal seat belt wearer. One occasion was about
15 years ago - falling asleep behind the wheel with the seatbelt on. If it
wasn't for the seatbelt I may not be here today. Fortunately it was a
single car accident and no one else was in the car and no one was hurt. Car
was totalled.

-Dave

 

This is all completely true: I can't imagine what people are thinking
when they don't wear their seatbelt!

About a year ago I was driving on a small, narrow two-lane road, about
40 miles per hour, which is the speed limit. A drunk driver flew around
a curve ahead and hit me head on, and the van behind me couldn't stop
in time and rear-ended me. Neither one of the other drivers were
wearing their seat belts, and they both died the same day. I, however,
emerged with only a bruise on my abdomen and a broken thumb...much
better off than the others.

It seems almost as if car manufacturers need to expand on Ford's idea
in the 1990s: shoulder belts that automatically came on when you
started the car. If someone could recreate that with a lap belt also,
I'm sure it would prevent many deaths.

Of course, an even cheaper alternative would just be for everyone to
REMEMBER TO BUCKLE UP!

 

Wow. A parent who has never heard or been told NEVER to put a 7 year
old in the front seat?

Frankly, a 7 year old needs a booster--but at the VERY least, belongs in
the back seat. If the car is designed such that the child's legs bend
over the front of the seat cushion and the belt fits properly across his
body, no booster would be needed.

But the front seat--hell, that's child abuse.

 

Sadly, the mother is not a very functional person... drugs, of various
sorts. Detoxing while trying to recover from extensive liver injury is not
my choice of ways to live, but that's her lot. She was not conscious to
receive the citations for driving without a license, insurance or current
registration. I'm just happy the 7 yr old was buckled up - probably the
child's idea.

Mike