Buckle Up - It's So Important

When driving near home last week, a young man swerved to avoid hitting a flock of turkeys. Unfortunately, another car coming from the opposite direction did the same thing. Both cars hit head on.

The young man was not wearing his seatbelt and his airbag did not deploy. He was killed instantly. He was only 32, and he was the brother of a dear friend of mine. I attended his wake this past Saturday. What a tragedy for him and his family members and friends.

The passengers in the other vehicle were unhurt. They were wearing their seatbelts.

Accidents happen in the blink of an eye. They often happen close to home. Some people think to themselves, 'I'm only going out for a short drive. I'll be fine.' This can be deadly thinking.

I'm using my blog this week as a reminder of the importance of seatbelt use. It's likely you're already wearing your seatbelt in the vehicles you drive or ride in. If you aren't, please reconsider. In addition, please urge your family members and friends to buckle up.

If you can save just one life with this recommendation, it will be well worth your efforts.

Comments

[Charity]

I totally agree with you. I wish all vehicles had automatic seatbelts. I use to have an SUV that had auto seatbelts and loved it...

[Sk]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's loss, Maria.

I've always buckled up; it's how I was raised. My parents wouldn't start the car until I was buckled in, and that habit's stuck with me. The crazy thing is it only takes what, 3 seconds to do it?

Thanks for spreading this message. I always buckle and I'm always surprised by people who don't. It's such an easy way to protect oneself. And as one of the health campaigns said years ago (on smoking or something) "If you won't do it for yourself, do it for all the oved ones in your life."

[JoAnn]

I am so sorry to hear about your friend's brother. I cringe everytime I see someone driving without a seatbelt especially children. I know I feel naked without mine.

[TK]

Maria, So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend's brother. It must be a very difficult time for the family.

As a recently retired peace officer in California, I understand the need for traffic safety education concerning the use of seatbelts.

Thank you for mentioning it.

[Cindy]

I wear my seat belt even if I am
just crossing a parking lot at a shopping center. You can easily have a massive head injury or die if you hit the windshield. ALWAYS WEAR A SEAT BELT.
(A Nurse)

[Janice Kaye]

Absolutely - just 3 months ago a car in the opposite lane lost control on a bend and crashed straight into me. I broke my arm and sprained my ankle and had a few bruised ribs. My car was a total write off. However, I hobbled out of the car without a scratch on me due to the airbag working and being belted in me. I still have a slight limp, but am sure I would have been dead if I was not belted in.

I do not move unless everyone in the car is belted in - and if I give a ride to someone and they say they don't want to put on a seat belt, I politely tell them they will have to get out then, as I cannot drive with an unbelted passenger.