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Show WN- , -- - - ;.VH, , , ' A. v IFosmtiinipe y, ' i f. i Thursday, April 14, 1983 5 7 a ; t Survival is learned through experience sometimes by accident By Robyn Mailhot DPG Safety Specialist ; Are you a good driver? If experience is the best teacher, you probably walk well too. Yet, how many tunes have you bumped yourvery head, tripped, or stubbed your toe? THINK ABOUT THIS! These accidents (simple errors in judgment) are no different uian errors made behind the wheel, except the stakes are higher. Are you willing to bet that you or"the other guy will never again stub your toe? Of course not, chances are you would lose your money. Then why are you gambling by not wearing your seatbelt when your chances of being involved in an accident are so high? Youcould lose your life. Its that simple. Given a second chance, the darn coffee table would be moved to prevent another stubbed toe, and seatbelts would be worn every time you got into the car, regardless of the distance to be traveled or how fast youll be going. But last year, 52,000 people didn't get a second chance they died. Another 4,877,000 were permanently scarred in some way. They were good drivers too, but honestly, what difference did it make. Everyone involved suffers as much as the worst driver around. If experience is the best teacher, injurydeath rates would be falling instead of rising. Automobile accidents are now the NUMBER ONE cause of death for ages 50 and under. It does not just happen to "the other guy", it happens to you. Hasn't someone dear to you suffered a ' similar tragedy? If not, move to Las Vegas because you, your family, and friends are beating the highest odds possible. If experience was the best teacher, we would not be experiencing increased taxes or higher death and automobile insurance rates to cover the fantastic annual ' cost of $39.9 billion. The following are some common misbeliefs and excuses for not wearing seatbelts. Are any of these yours? EXCUSE: I don't remember. FACT: People remember what is important. You remembered to eat dinner last night, turn off the stove, answer the phone and go to work last week. You even remembered to brush your teeth this morning. Is bad breath more important than you and your loved ones being alive tomorrow? If its important enough, you will remember until it becomes a habit each time. Imagine you living without your child because it was not important enough to remember. Could they live without you; would you ever -- " : forget? EXCUSE: I only go to the Commissary, besides going that slow I can brace myself. FACT: This is the poorest excuse of all, and the most naive. Deaths occur at less than 12 mph. You drive faster than that in the parking lot! Now try this, run as fast as you can (which is approximately 6 mph) straight into a brick wall with your arms out to brace you. Guaranteed your arms will collapse and your body would receive an impact equal to 6 times your body weight. At 2Q.mph, if you weigh 155 lbs. your face and body will hit the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, door or pavement with a force of 3.100 lbs. Can you lift 3,100 lbs? This force increases with relative speed, then doubles in a head-o- n collision. Which would you rather do. . . hit the hard objects - I i mentioned or be restrained by a nylon belt? EXCUSE: When I don't wear my seatbelt, I'm only hurting myself, besides they are uncomfortable. FACT: Wrong: Occupants in a collision bounce off each other like a cueball in a pool game. The forces mentioned earlier, in a head-o- n collision cause occupants to fly forward, striking anything or anyone on their way out the windshield. broad-side In a collision occupants are forced sidewaysd CSM Sharpe, Commander's Office: (He completely avoided hitting the truck which swerved into his lane and the oncoming traffic he was forced to turn into. He maintained control when his vehicle started to roll from the violent evasive maneuvering.) When asked for his statement for this article. . . "I simply could not have regained control if I had not ' worn my seatbelt holding me behind the wheel. . . What more is there to say? Seatbelts save lives." Susan Cummons, Industrial Hygiene: "My car was completely totalled when I hit black ice and rolled a couple of times in Skull Valley. My two children and I were wearing our seatbelts and we walked away without a scratch. We are living proof, it pays to wear your seatbelt! John Simpson, Civilian Personnel: "I think people lose the encouragement to wear seatbelts after awhile. I definitely feel they should be used at all times. Im definitely convinced they save lives. If I hadn't had my daughter strapped in during my accident she would have hit the dashboard or even worse. I just bought a new car with the seatbelts that automatically buckle when the door is closed. Phil Hale, Public Affairs: "I have a scar which I wouldn't have if I'd had my seatbelt on when I was hit. I use them. Seatbelts save lives." Wearing seatbelts doesn't show a lack of confidence in your (or anyone else's) driving ability. It shows you are a smart driver, realizing what occurs during ah accident and how dangerous not wearing a seatbelt can be. When you insist others buckle ujj, it shows how much you care. into other riders and against the door which simply cannot withstand the force. The door flys open and the body continues to travel along the pavement. Which is more uncomfortable. . . the seatbelt or a crushed pelvis, head concussion, broken neckback, leg braces or a wheelchair? If comfort is that important, a mortician in Tooele will be glad to help you find a comfortable alternative. EXCUSE: I don't want to be trapped if my car catches fire or is submerged. FACT: Fire or submersion occurs in less than one-haof one percent of all cases ever reported. Besides, seatbelts unfasten in a second and increase your chances of escape by preventing serious disabling injuries. EXCUSE: I care about how I look and I dont want my clothes wrinkled. FACT: Clothes are easily replaced or reironed. How much do you care about your teeth, eyes, complexion, back, lungs, etc.? These can rarely be replaced. A decision of importance and priority is made every time you get into a vehicle, whether you realize it or not. Neat clothing is insignificant in an ambulance or emergency room, they are simply cut off.. EXCUSE: I'd rather be thrown clear. FACT: You have seen too many movies where someone lived after being thrown from a vehicle. In reality, however, the dear fact is 99.9 percent of these victims die. Seatbelts are designed to take the immense force of impact which a fragile human body cannot withstand. EXCUSE: When my time is up, that's it. Seatbelts are not effective. FACT: Wearing lap belts, you are 31 percent less likely combinations to be injured or killed. While effectiveness. Seatbelts 57 prevent minor percent provide accidents from becoming major ones and even prevent some accidents from occuring in the first place. Read the experiences of Dugway residents and learn from them. Don't wait for your own tragic experience to make you a believer in seatbelts. Act on the knowledge gained through past reports from the Highway Patrol, emergency room doctors and nurses, police, coroners, and scientific reinactments of crash survivability tests. Every report proves. . . Seatbelts do save lives and reduce injury. Lela Iverson, Word Processing: "Before my acddent in Johnson's Pass, I thought seat-belwerent worth much. For some reason, I wQre my seat-bethat. day and I wasnt injured in any way. Now without my seatbelt on, I feel very nervous. Presently, Im trying to get my family to use them." Royce Larson, Internal Review: "I wore my seatbelts in both accidents I was involved in . and I have escaped injury both times. Definitely, I would have been badly injured or killed when I rolled in the Pass, or when that girl ran a stop sign. Seatbelts worked for me, f i t ji ; . lf - f I i i 1 ! n I ! f i i lap-should- er i ; ' i I 1 c : ' i - i ts lt i twice. t t Enlisted women to get more guidance on picture women affected intent to either or 0 MOS-closu- re Enlisted reenlist by the recent closure of 23 reclassify by completing and forwarding an indorsement military occupational specialties will receive career guidance on an individual provided in the basic letter. The reply will be used to en- .basis. The U.S. Army Military Personnel Center now is mailing letters to. the commanders of those soldiers who ETS through fiscal 1984, asking them to assist in guiding affected soldiers into new job skills. Letters to the commanders of the persons who ETS in fiscal : ment or reclassification. The women affected by the closure should discuss career options with local reenlistment NCO's as soon as possible, say MILPERCEN officials. The Army's "retain system" can project .MOS and training availability 210 days from ETS for first termers and 180 days for careerists. On Feb. 28, 1983, the chief. National Guard Bureau, issued a transition plan 1985 and beyond are expect- . sure adequate programming of training space, but will not be considered as the soldiers request for reenlist- ed to be mailed by April 30. Each letter includes the MILPERCEN recommendation of three specialties based on a review of information contained in the centers enlisted master file. The soldier then has the option to rank her choices for reclassification or reenlistment. The center is requesting that each person report her to the 54 state adjustants general for transitioning women out of the affected 23 Naspecialties. The Army tional Guard calls for transitioning women before the 0 VI A a ITZ3l DC ETS of their current enlist- ment agreement, with a min- imum of one year provided for retraining. "About 245 women are affected in the ARNG," said an official in the chief s office. As to Army Reservists, on March 4, 1983, the chief. I'MA OKIE. 50 (Xir Midnight Special turns into a prize at midnight. Saturday. April 16. Army Reserve, issued policy guidance to the U.S. Army Forces Command on the implementation of the cod- Come see Yamahas with prices ait to the footpegs our Yelk iwuig Specials good only till Wide Open House ing system. According to an official in the chiefs office,, the U.S. Army Reserve in- tends to honor its enlistment contracts made before issuance of this guidance. Female soldiers who choose to reclassify either immediately or upon reenlistment will have two years hence to become qualified in the newly chosen specialty, say OCAR o . Dont miss our two newest . officials. (ARNEWS) four-si- n .. ir?4: Tri-Mo- te ike is. the Yamahauler and 2251 )X. FHEE rms GAUGE. h V u can't complain about inflation at this price FREE IfflSCH, lest ride the Yamaha your dreams. Then test the priee.We think t iu'11 be sold on both. Quality Meats and Seafoods 124 North Main 882-617- 6 . Canter SIk CHICKEN SALMON NUGGETS STEAKS 5. 1 box only S : 982 YAMAHA DIRT BIKE YZ480 .... .... 2 only in stock Country SlyU - 1 CLOSEOUT! QUALITY MEATS FOR LESS! BraoMd We're serving Coke and Sprite all weeklong. And Hot Dogs and Drinks on Saturday. YZ250 PORK 1 Only 1,599 3 Only ....1,199 YZ80 649 YZ125 SPARE RIBS 1,699 PRICED BELOW 0.29 OUR COST! RJ MU Fradi CHEDDAR CHEESE CHEESE CURDS I I 1213119 Qf35f n 6 pock. No return ! UvrGnTsl3l8v . 1 ' . 1' iff irr s j W ft |