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by Ken Gadsden } Inthe last couple of columns | covered a number of "Little . : Things" that | see regularly on the road, which can lead to col- §& ISIONS. 8 3 "There is another "Little Thing" that while it may not cause § = collisions it can certainly make them much more serious. You § uessed it I'm talking about seat belts or as they're more sci- & entifically known, occupant restraints. Whenever | think of this topic I'm reminded of a series of § films we had at the Bell several years back entitled "Room to = ive." = As | recall they were made by a Michigan sate highway = patrol officer named Jack Ware. The focus of the films was on & the wearing of seat belts and basically they consisted of Mr. & So Wars recounting his experiences in 23 years of highway patrol § - Some excerpts based on my recollections: 3 - "Although | investigated many fatal accidents in those = 23 years, | only unbuckled one dead man. He was killed by a §& box of kleenex which in the collision, flew from the rear win- & = dow deck. The corner of it struck him at the base of the skull." & - - "One day | arrived at the scene of an accident. Awoman §& = driving a Volkswagen had lost control and run into a ditch. Her §& = three year old son had hit the windshield and was seriously § > hurt. When | asked her why he wasn't belted in, she replied §& \ that she didn't want io be a meanie!!" = 3 - "Tremendous forces can be generated in a collision. £ \ The arm strength of an adult attempting to hold an infant on §& \ their lap in a collision could be compared to that of two wet § \ noodles." ' & So - "People in front seats have been killed by unbelted rear = . seat passengers flying forward in a collision or sudden stop." § 3 As well he recounted several gruesome examples of what = happened to people who were thrown from their vehicles. His & = message was clear. Your chances of surviving a collision are & | greatest inside the vehicle. For in it there is "Room to Live." = a This is what the Canada Safety Council says about occu- § | pant restraints: = 5 ...The value of safety belts in saving lives and preventing & 3 injuries has been documented by massive evidence. Many & | drivers still refuse to wear them or wear them only part of the | = time. The reasons given for not wearing occupant restraints all & = have one thing in common - they are wrong. = = Here Are The Facts : 3 - 8 out of every 10 crashes happen at speeds less than § = 60 km./hr. People not wearing occupant restraints have been & | fatally injured at speeds as low as 20 km./hr. 8 . - Being thrown into a steering assembly accounts for 30 | | percent of fatal injuries in collisions. 2 | - 40 percent of deaths are caused by striking the wind- | = shield, windshield frame or instrument panel. a = - Your chances of being fatally injured are 25 times great- 8% = er if thrown from your vehicle. Estimates reveal that 4 out of 5 & _ people who died when thrown from their vehicle would have § = lived, had they remained inside it. 3 = - 1 out of 5 injuries occurs because unrestrained people § = = SN a NN oR = oN = _ inside the vehicle slam into each other. - 3% 3 - 1 out of every 200 injury producing crashes involves fire £ Lor submersion in water. Wearing your occupant restraint will £ : help you to survive the collision so that you have a better = chance to remain conscious and be able to leave your vehicle. § § - Most deaths and injuries can be prevented by wearing ¢ seat belts. & : - A 30 Ib. child being groped from 3 stories has the & : same effect as a 50 km./hr. crash. 3 2 - Infants and children less than 4 years of age should ride § i secured in a transport Canada approved crash tested safety § = seat. 2 : - Pregnant women should wear their occupant restraints. 5 The lap portion should ride low under the stomach. 3 - One more fact - in a collision you have a choice. You § | can hit the windshield, the steering column or your occupant & Consider the Environment! Consider your Convenience! DIAPER "DOODIE SERVICE & SALES * We pick up twice weekly for each customer. * We sell NICKY PANTS and other accessories. * Great Baby Gift Ideas 85 7079 SHAWN MUIR see aaa ata's ate atte ede Te - The Durham Board of Edu- cation will be conducting a "comprehensive audit" of the Board's Transportation Depart- ment. The reason for the audit is to determine the administra- tive and cost effectiveness of the operation. The Board's finance de- partment has yet to determine the scope, budget or terms of the audit. However, the audit is to be completed by June of this year. AS PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, January 29, 1991 -- 27 Board audits department Staff will also prepare a plan for an 'effectiveness re- porting audit/research project to be done in conjunction with the re-organiztion of the pro- gram department. Author guest The Canadian Club of Durham Region will be meeting on Tues- day, February 12th, at the Holi- day Inn, Oshawa, commencing with dinner at 6:30 p.m.. Russ Merifield, author, historian, lawyer, and a member THE d/ LAST \§ {DETAIL of the Toronto Canadian Club, will be the guest speaker. Anyone wishing to attend this interesting program will be most welcome. For reservations, please call 668-4522. 'Finishing touches are what brings your home to life, and details truly make the difference. Our personal assistance enables you to create a truly distinct home! - WE SPECIALIZE IN - * in home consultation * floor plans & colour schemes * custom drapery & upholstery '| * wall coverings - * antiques & accessories LET US HELP YOU ENHANCE YOUR HOME THE LAST DETAIL 649-112 5019 BROCK ROAD (just N. of the 4 Corners) Do CLAREMONT, ONT. (by appointment only, please)