| Here are some of the things kids like to do in cars: | | | | didn't you? |
| They Sometimes Don't Wear Seat Belts and | | | | They Drive or Ride in an Unsafe Vehicle or Ride in |
| Harnesses | | | | the Back of a Pickup Truck |
| When they get in the family car, a parent or | | | | I lost a niece because of mechanical failure of the car |
| grandparent or older child says, "You kids got your | | | | she was driving. A sweet, bright university student is |
| seatbelts on? Jeremy, help Annie get her belt on. | | | | gone. |
| Okay, Jason! We're not going one inch until you get | | | | Make sure your car is properly maintained, that the |
| that seat belt on." When riding a friends car, or if | | | | tires are at the correct air pressure, that the breaks |
| they are driving and in control, it is a different. They | | | | work, and that the steering is system is safe. Have a |
| don't necessarily wear seat belts. Some think it is | | | | mechanic take a look at your vehicle. It won't take |
| macho not to. | | | | that much of your time. It may save your life. |
| American Indian youth in particular don't like the | | | | Teenagers have a tendency to drive smaller vehicles |
| restraint of a seat belt. | | | | that are not as safe as larger vehicles. There is not |
| My oldest son is a neurosurgeon (brain surgeon). He | | | | much you can do about that but if you are buying a |
| has some very sad stories. Don't you become one of | | | | vehicle, think about it. |
| them. | | | | Don't become a flying projectile bounced out of the |
| Two of my grandchildren and four of their friends | | | | back of a pickup during a collision. |
| were in an accident the other night. They are all | | | | They Sometimes Drive too Soon in Heavy Traffic |
| hurting today. My grandson had terrific trauma and | | | | Just because you past the driving test, don't mean |
| eye abrasion. (The trauma was caused by a horrible | | | | that you are an expert driver. If you learned to drive |
| accident he had as a pedestrian in his youth. | | | | in a rural community and then you drive into the |
| Everything came back.) Most of the kids had their | | | | traffic of a larger city before you've had experience |
| seat belts on, some may not have. | | | | in driving in heavy traffic, you can get in to an |
| They Sometimes Drive too Fast | | | | accident before you can say, "Jack Sprat could eat |
| Fourteen percent of all traffic deaths are teenage | | | | no fat." |
| drivers. Speed is the major killer. What's called "the | | | | Have an adult spend some time with you driving |
| need for speed" can kill you and strangers you didn't | | | | under more difficult driving conditions. Yes, I know |
| want to meet head-on. | | | | you can drive like Mario Andretti. Please do what I |
| Your school may exhibit cars that have been in | | | | suggest. My grandson has had two accidents since he |
| head-on and rollover accidents, squashed vehicles | | | | got is driving license. He was not ready to drive. |
| that turned out to be killers. Don't get into a car with | | | | Teenage drivers are in more single automobile |
| a teenage speed maniac. The need for speed is | | | | accidents than older drivers. Does that prove my |
| death indeed. | | | | point? |
| They Distract the Driver or the Driver Doesn't Watch | | | | In Summary |
| the Road | | | | Drive carefully, don't distract the driver if are not |
| Teens often think that car time is fun time. | | | | driving, have your car checked for safety, let up on |
| It's time to yell, push and shove, and distract. | | | | that gas pedal, slow down for that turn, don't drive |
| That can become, and too often is, deadly. | | | | too close to the vehicle in front of you, obey the |
| Behave yourself in a car and encourage others to do | | | | traffic laws, and live longer. Have you got that seat |
| the same. | | | | belt on? |
| Who do you know that got into an accident because | | | | Oh! One other thing! My neurosurgeon son says that |
| of this behavior? Check the In Memoriam section of | | | | if you are on a motorcycle or bicycle, wear your |
| your high school yearbook. Experts say that | | | | helmet. |
| immaturity is the factor here. You already knew that, | | | | |