Why? Because driving in a car is the most dangerous thing we do everyday. Think about it. You’re relying on all walks of life to drive a two or three ton machine at high speeds, pay attention to their surroundings, obey the traffic laws and keep every one’s safety in mind. Yeah, right! Most of us drive with a few things in mind; getting to our destination, talking on the phone, figuring out directions, talking with other occupants and listening to the radio. Most of us have life’s dilemmas on our minds, our work load, worries about families, etc. What we need to do is shut all of those distractions off when we shut the door upon entering the car. Easier said than done, I’m sure.

I often have young passengers in my car. Most of them do not give a second thought to how they are positioned in the car. They might have on a seat belt, but is it fitting properly? No, not until I say something to them. How many of you actually look at how well your passengers fit in the seat belt? Do you know how someone should fit in a seat belt? All passengers should sit up straight, but comfortable. The shoulder portion of the belt should fit on the center of the collar bone. The lap portion should fit low on the hips, high on the thighs. If it sits on the abdomen, during a crash the seat belt will “look” for the next bone, which in this case would be the spinal cord. Young passengers often fidget and slouch in seats. This could be a deadly mistake. If the seats do no adjust for proper seat belt fit, then the child needs a booster seat!

Statistically speaking, we will all experience at least four crashes each during our lifetime. Will it be a fender bender, hitting a parked car or something at high speeds? Will it be a t-bone crash, involve an eighteen wheeler or a motorcycle? Do you know? Do I? Since we cannot predict, isn’t it better to be safe than sorry. How sorry would you be if your child died because you gave into the argument of him not wanting to use a booster seat? How sorry would you feel, if your friends child road with you without his booster seat because it was more convenient not to pull it out of her car?

The risks are high. The solutions are effortless, in comparison.

Neurotic? Yes!

Safe? YES! Neurotic? Who cares. LOL!

Sit Tight, Buckle Up Right!

Allana Pinkerton