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In reply to the discussion: WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT. NO EXCEPTIONS, GODDAMMIT. [View all]Tree-Hugger
(3,370 posts)That is incredibly frightening. I am so glad that you are okay and that you can come share your story with us.
When I was a little girl, back in the early 80's, my dad had a big white Oldsmobile station wagon. We would always ride way in the back part of it. We never wore seat belts. Then, my dad started working trauma. He never started his car without everyone belted in again.
When I was in 6th grade, my brother's best friend, around 22 years old, was asleep in the back of a mall security van (during his break). Another security guard got in the car and began driving around. He lost control of the car, hit a curb and my brother's friend went flying through the windshield and only stopped when his head crashed into a light pole. I remember driving by the scene of the accident days later and seeing the bits of hair, blood and skull debris still stuck to that pole.
In 2011, my breaks failed on a rainy day. Thankfully, I was not going super fast - I was going about 20 miles an hour. I ended up slamming into the back of a woman who was stopped at a red light. My son was secured in his car seat, thank God, and I was wearing my seat belt. My head lurched forward and a few items that were unsecured in my car flew to the front. Had I not been in a seat belt, my whole body would have smashed into my steering wheel or dashboard. Since I was not going very fast, I probably would have been left with a few bruises and other non life-threatening injuries. However, I was 19 weeks pregnant at the time and I shudder to think what would have happened to my baby had I not been wearing my seat belt.
No one rides in my car without proper restraint. Hell, I even buckle my cats in (in their carriers) when they have to make a trip to the vet.