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Show Sun Advocate 4A OPINION March 24, 1998 STAFF EDITORIAL WKSfcsPl) J Ij it Foolish actions compound accident risks Bv AL LATIMER Staff writer The worst part of this job is going out to take photographs at accident scenes where people have been injured or killed. The saddest part is that in most cases the injuries and loss of life were preventable. Highway 6 from Helper to Spanish Fork is the most dangerous piece of road in the state of Utah. It is, for the most part, a narrow, winding road with many blind curves. This is a recipe for disaster. Many drivers grow impatient when following slower moving vehicles. In their haste, they often make unwise decisions, such as passing when it really isn't safe to do so. In bad weather, the problems are compounded. have lost count of how many times I've been passed on U.S. Highway 6 by cars and trucks going 70 or 80 miles per hour in a blinding snowstorm. The most foolish thing drivers can do is neglect to use their seatbelts. Wearing the safety restraints certainly won't keep one from having an accident. But seatbelts can greatly reduce the chance of injury or death when they are used. have often heard investigating law en I I forcement officers state that accident victims might or, in some cases, would have survived a crash had they been strapped into their cars. Just look at one of the most high profile car crashes in history, when Princess Diana's Mercedes-Ben- z flipped and rolled at over 120 miles per hour. The only survivor was the one occupant inside the vehicle who was wearing a seatbelt. Surviving a high speed impact is much more likely if one stays in the vehicle. Being ejected is much more dangerous than remaining strapped into the car. It is also helpful if one can avoid being slammed into the steering wheel or through the windshield. Obviously, wearing seatbelts can help prevent one from becoming a projectile in the event of an accident. Wearing the seatbelt does not interfere with the driver's vision or hearing. The safety belt doesn't do anything except protect the driver and passengers in case of a crash. There is really no valid reason for not wearing the belts, but that doesn't stop some people from making excuses. have heard people say that they don't like wearing a seatbelt because it wrinkles their clothing. You want to see wrinkled clothing, try I smashing through the windshield and rolling down the road for a few hundred feet. Some people complain that the belts are uncomfortable. Really? How comfortable will it be to spend several months in traction? actually heard one teenager say that wearing seatbelts infringes of his sense of freedom and that he can't enjoy driving while wearing them. Maybe he'd feel more free being zipped into a body bag? remember two young men whom knew in my youth. About 25 years ago, this pair of would-b- e racers were building a car to run at the local dragstrip. They took a 1964 Rambler American and stuffed a hopped-u- p 440 into it. Chrysler With a vehicle weight of about 2,500 pounds being propelled by something like 500 horsepower, the pair anticipated some fast trips down the quarter-mil- e track. The night they got the car running, they jumped in and took it for a spin through a fig orchard. The roll bar would be installed before they went racing, of course. As would the I I I ParkdorelsBcK. V-- 8 seatbelts and the strap to catch the driveshaft All of in case of breakage. the safety items were required (Continued on page 5A ) GUEST EDITORIAL Shoring Asian economies benefits U.S. Bv THOMAS DONOHUE U.S. Chamber of Commerce president IMF are secured by the liquid reserves of the agency. The contributions even earn interest at market-relaterates. In short, far from giving a gift, we're making a responsible loan. Keeping the global financial system working is the key to growth abroad. This means more markets for American exports - which have produced 1 1 million jobs and higher living standards for American families in every state and district. In the last four years, nearly of our economic growth has been due to exports to the Pacific Rim. The importance of the exports to the U.S. economy has become clearer in the wake of the Asian financial crisis. Countries such as Thailand, Korea and Indonesia are in turmoil. IMF assistance would restore calm and confidence to the key markets in the short run. In the long run, IMF's programs, which require recipient countries to adopt substantial structural reform of financial and industrial policies, will contribute to healthy overseas economies and markets for U.S. trade. Maintaining global financial stability and economic growth is vital to American's economic interests not only in Asia, but worldwide. In turn, we know from history that prosperous economies go hand in hand with peaceful nations. Countries trading peace d Ever since we lifted the world economy War II rubble, the out of its post-Worl- d United States has been called upon to exercise global leadership many times - militarily and economically. Today, we are being asked to help the economies of Asia recover from a devastating financial crisis. At issue is renewing U.S. funding for the International Monetary Fund, an organization established 50 years ago to assist in fostering and maintaining an open and stable global economy. Congress is currently evaluating a request by the Administration to contribute $14.5 billion to replenish the IMF's capital base, and to provide an additional $3.5 billion for a supplemental emergency program. That sounds like a high price to pay to help far away countries who in recent years have become our fiercest economic competitors. But we must. It is in our own interest. For starters, American taxpayers don't lose any money on this deal. Over the past 50 years, the U.S. contribution to the IMF has cost citizens nothing. There are no budget outlays and no diversions from other spending programs. Like a deposit in a bank, U.S. funds made available to the one-thir- d TURN IN fully with each other do not fight each other. This point is especially poignant PUSHER The information gathered as a result of the following is confi- dential and will not be divulged to anyone outside the Carbon Emery Drug Task Force. Any information you may provide, when it come to this corner of the world. We have had an avid national security interest in Asia, having fought three wars and lost 100,000 lives there this century. Some oppose renewed U.S. funding of IMF on the grounds that the agency is in need of reform. The administration and Congress should encourage constructive changes in the IMF and its programs. But our first priority must be to restore confidence to the markets and ensure that the IMF has sufficient funds on hand in the event of a further disturbance in Asia or even if only a partial description, will be evaluated and placed into a composite file of all other information gathered. Hopefully, this will provide a full picture of the problem as it exists. Action will be taken on every submission. Thank you for your cooperation. Name of suspected drug dealer: Nickname: Description: Ht. Wt. Age elsewhere. In short, helping Asia through the IMF will help us. Our economy depends upon international trade and A Hair Sex Eyes SS Address: Home: IMF funding will bolster the key aspect. Shoring up the Business Motor Vehicle: Make economies of Asia will encourage stability and cooperation throughout the region, Color Year particularly with China. Finally, we ought to recognize that the United States has always led the rest of the world in containing destabilizing conditions Though the U.S. contribution to IMF is of the total, America is less than the most influential contributor and has traditionally exercised its leadership role vigorously. Now, more than ever, we should take the lead. License Associates of Dealer Method of dealing: Location of dealing Drug(s) being dealt: Price: one-fift- h Amount: Main purchasers: (i.e. school kids, truckers, etc.) List any other suspected illegal activities: Code name you wish to be known by NO May we contact you? YES If yes, then how: by mail or by phone CMAPNGN FttMCERHORM EUD IT WOULD PUT MID TOUR. I) When wm tss. If we may contact you by mail, what is Please take a few minutes and invest 32 cents in a stamp. your address? TO DEMOCRATIC. fUHD-RNSM- G SCMIDMS . You can help in the fight against drugs. Take a stand and get involved! The life you may save may be your childs. 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