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is beyond my understanding how so many drivers can be so very stupid...so
very ignorant, when it comes to using seat belts. Over many years there
have been so many studies reported on, and so much media coverage about
proof that seat belts save lives and often serious injury that I need someone
to explain to me why anyone would not automatically buckle up when getting
into a vehicle.
Yes, I know that many young drivers have an over riding sense of immortality and sometimes drink to excess before driving. Maybe it's not "cool" (guess that dates me) to be seen by your peers wearing seat belts? In fact, a survey released by VW found that one-third of high school students’ deemed seat belt use "uncool". But once one reaches an age of awareness that stepping off a cliff does not automatically cause one to sprout wings, what is the rationale? Maybe it is nothing more than ignorance and stupidity. There has been extensive media coverage lately about the obesity epidemic in the US, beginning with young children. And finally, after many years of this coverage I finally saw in print what I've known empirically. The less education one has the greater the risk of obesity and the two are directly related. Maybe it's the same thing with the use - or non-use - of seatbelts. As long as I've been going to my PCP (primary care physician) he begins every periodic check-up in his office with seemingly mundane questions: how much do you drink, does your spouse beat you, do you feel safe at home, and do you use seat belts? I recently came across an AP story that related a teen, fatal accident where three of the occupants died when ejected from rolling vehicle. The fourth occupant put her seat belt on in the time available after they all saw the impending crash. She survived with some scratches and bruises. This is more often than not the cause of death, being ejected from the crashed vehicle. Don't these people watch NASCAR racing or the NHRA or get taught anything in school? The article goes on to point out that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among those 15-20 years old. Of the 5,341 teens killed in crashes in 2001, fully two-thirds were not wearing seat belts. Now to the other extreme, Tom Finneran speaker of the MA House ignited a controversy last month when he suggested that drivers 70 years of age or older be subject to a new test. Even The Boston Globe thought his idea to be overreaching and cited the MA RMV numbers that only 16% of drivers aged 71-75 years old caused an accident in 1996, the last year surveyed. That percentage is among the lowest for any age group in the Commonwealth. But things change with age as the at-fault accident rate increased to 22% for 76-80 and 27% for the 81-85 group. Still, those accident rate numbers pale when compared to the 34% rate for drivers 21-25 years old, the most accident-prone years. Records indicate the most frequent causes of accidents to be alcohol abuse and reckless driving, things that cannot be controlled by another driving test but by vigorous law enforcement. While I'm on my soapbox, let me continue. You regular readers of this column have read more than once of my annoyances at the inconsistent and sometimes irrational security screening routinely done at all airports since 9.11.01. The federalization of the airport security and screening operations was supposed to eliminate those problems...ha! Remember, I'm all for proper and consistent screening and have even disagreed with the ACLU on some of their positions protecting everyone's civil rights. In fact, I was surprised and I guess pleased that my views were corroborated last year by noted civil libertarian and legal beagle Alan Dershowitz, when he came out in favor of a "properly" done national identity card. Last month I accompanied Joyce to a business meeting in Santa Fe - I get to play while she works - and while emptying my pockets directly before the baggage X-ray equipment, unloading the lap top from the carry-on bag (we only check bags when we have all our scuba gear) and walking through the "human buzzer" I discovered my Swiss Army knife in my pocket. I've been carrying this appliance with 2 blades, corkscrew, screwdriver, etc. for twenty-five years and feel naked without it. However, I usually remember to leave it home, but not this time. So, thinking quickly I figured what do I have to lose, rather than putting it in the tray with coins and keys I dropped it into my Land's End brief bag and put the bag onto the conveyor. You probably have already guessed the resolution of this. I picked up my bags on the other side of the X-ray equipment and when out of sight of the screening people I put the Swiss Army knife back into my pocket. Returning home from Santa Fe I repeated the process and am still using the same knife. Something is wrong here!! To Tim Donahue: Thank
you for causing me to re-read my June Nor'Easter, maybe you should do the
same and take an "understanding" pill at the same time, as your letter
simply corroborates my points.
The Road to Enlightenment
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