R.I. highway deaths call out for seatbelt use, officials say
5:38 PM Fri, Nov 06, 2009 | Permalink
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LINCOLN, R.I. -- Police, prosecutors and highway officials offered some sobering statistics Friday at a rest area on Route 295 in a press conference they called to urge motorists to drive safely, wear seatbelts, pay attention and don't drive drunk. With just less than two months to go in 2009, 57 motorists and 10 pedestrians have died on Rhode Island roads and highways, more than died in all of 2008, said Col. Brendan P. Doherty, superintendent of the R.I. State Police. And the holiday season hasn't started. In 2008, there were a total of 53 motor vehicle and 12 pedestrian fatalities. Some of the reasons for the increase in fatalities include speed, inattentiveness (including texting), driving while intoxicated, and motorists not wearing seatbelts. Jay Sullivan, a state traffic safety resources prosecutor, said 20 of those who died were younger than 30. Of those, three were killed in motorcycle crashes, and two of those were not wearing helmets. Of the 17 people under 30 who who were in vehicles, none was wearing a seatbelt. Of people older than 30, the dead included 29 people who were not wearing seatbelts. "There's only one thing we have in mind when we come to a press conference like this," said Law Enforcement Highway Safety Training Coordinator Richard Sullivan after the press conference, "and that's saving lives." 
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Sobering statistics,
of the 54 killed in vehicles, 46 were not wearing seatbelts...... natural selection at work?
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I wear a seatbelt all the time, I wear it because I choose to wear it, not because someone tells me I have to. You, the people in authority, want more rules, regulations and more authority over peoples lives. I know that there is a need for rules and I do believe they need to be followed, but when government starts mandating how to live and imposing penalties for not living in the prescibed way, that's and intolerable intrusion. Someone doesn't want to wear a seatbelt, thats their business. Someone doesn't want to wear a helmut, thats their business. Drop some of that ego and stay out of peoples business.
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I agree, seatbelts are important. However, people are out of control on thre roads! They have to dispose of the "me first attitude" and slow down! THe hihgways are crazy! No one follows the speed limits, they are mere suggestions. If you do the speed limit, others pass you like you are crawling, it's ridiculous. If you want to change lanes, use a blinker. Not that anyone will let you in! How about some courtesy people?! Take a breath, calm down, you will still get where you need to go. They act like the end of the world is on their butt and they would just as soon run you off the road. Also, people need to learn how to merge, this also causes accidents. Basically, have show some patience and respect for your fellow driver, slow down, let them change lanes, don't tailgate and STOP TEXTING!
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sounds like there's fed money around here someplace.
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I am one of the offenders and I get mad at myself for forgetting. It's just plain stupid to not fasten my seat belt. My grandchildren get after me all the time. I won't start the car unless they are buckled up but that is the only time I always remember.
It's especially important here in RI because this has got to be the King and Queen state of zipping in and out of traffic and cutting people off. Rt 95 between 3 and 7 pm is a nightmare from Providence to East Greenwich. With the sun glare in your eyes in late afternoon, it is downright dangerous. I wish we would get some troopers down there at that time.
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There is one other thing to suggest;where in the heck are these troopers and the local police when it comes to being on these roads and patrolling? I am passed at amazing rates of speed, well in excess of 30 to 40mph over the posted speed limit and most of these individuals are weaving in and out of traffic. I would suggest that we do a little less talking and a little more patrolling and stopping.
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i smell fed money around this. there is to much big brother around. pretty some we will be told what to do and say, and when.
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