Click em if you got em

There was a famous saying in the military that brightened up the faces of the nicotine puffers when they were out for training.  It went like this:

Smoke em if you got em!!!

That was the universal announcement that cigarette smokers waited for.  Upon hearing it, you would hear an orchestra of lighters coming on and guys standing around with chalk looking objects hanging from their mouths.  Over the years, the health issues associated with smoking usurped the group smoke break.  Smoking was eventually replaced by cessation programs.  In the end, they saved more lives than they hurt.

The same applies with seat belts.  More lives are saved by wearing them when operating a motor vehicle than are lost by not wearing during an accident.

Approximately 70 percent of those who die in Missouri traffic crashes are not wearing their safety belts. Safety belts are considered one of the most important safety devices in your vehicle, and using them correctly and on every trip is the most effective way to reduce injuries and death in a crash.

I can thank the time that I had in the Air Force as a reason for many of the good things I have tried to implement in my life.  You were required to wear your seat belt while driving on base.  It was during this time that buckling up became habit.  It became routine.  You can call it something that you did without thinking.  Just as people get preoccupied and forget, it was the opposite. 

I have been in my share of accidents.  I read something earlier today that stated that motor vehicle operators have a 100% chance of being involved in an auto accident during their lifetime.  I don’t know how much that is guess vs fact, but since I’ve already got my couple in, I’ll agree with it.  I’ve been rear ended.  I’ve had a lady slam the breaks at a stoplight and force me to run into her (partially).  So, I’ve hit and been hit.  Both times wearing a seat belt. 

What brings all of this on?

Well, today was supposed to be a day of knuckle-busting work on a remodeling project at home, but I got a phone call asking me to come to a funeral today.  Cool, I hadn’t put on my “work” clothes yet, so I threw on a suit and went on down.  I was not in town when this young woman had lost her life.  I was in Arizona last week at the time of the incident. 

You probably recalled this story from May 22nd.  There was a two car accident on I-470 near Colbern Rd in Lee’s Summit.  A young 23-year-old woman was driving westbound on the highway when she lost control of her car, drove through the median and hit the rear end of a 31-year-old woman who was driving eastbound.  That woman lost control of her vehicle after being hit and went off the right side of the highway.  Her Dodge Durango overturned and ejected her from the vehicle. 

Cornelia McGregor was not wearing her seat belt.  She later died at Centerpoint Hospital.  This young mother of 3 young kids lost her life in an accident that she did not cause.  It occurred a day after she celebrated her 31st birthday.  The same birthday that my 9-year-old son celebrates. 

I knew Ms. McGregor from afar but not personally.  I saw her rededicate her life to God a couple of months ago as she was making steps to move her life into a new direction.  That decision on her part is helping her family to cope, but it does not do enough to help answer all of the many questions that they have. 

Upon doing some reading about the case when I got home, I later learned that the young lady (from Independence) who hit her was wearing her seat belt.  She suffered minor injuries and survived the accident.  Cornelia’s auto insurance was with Acceptance Insurance.  The other driver did not have motor vehicle insurance. 

Think of this for a minute.  Someone who doesn’t have enough sense to keep their vehicle properly insured (it’s the law people), but has enough sense to wear a seat belt will survive an accident with someone who has the sense to keep their vehicle insured but failed to wear a seat belt?  It almost doesn’t seem fair, does it?

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, an investigation continues in this case.  I don’t know all the ins and outs of what might happen later, but I have to wonder if the McGregor family will sue.  You hate to think of that possibility, but we are dealing with the death of a young lady that involved another driver who had no auto insurance.  You can say what you want, but I know that at least one person will have the thought cross their mind….it’s time to get paid. 

Now knowing the basic facts of the case also leaves me somewhat troubled from the funeral.  There was no cry for the rest of us to continue to buckle up if we currently do or for us to start wearing seat belts if we don’t.  The most that was said at the funeral about the accident was that it was a tragedy.  That’s true.  What was the thing that made it tragic?  That’s the question.  Was it the fact that Cornelia wasn’t buckled up?  Was it that Gloria Goody was operating a vehicle without insurance?  Was it the fact that McGregor leaves 3 young children motherless? 

You tell me. 

 

1 Comment

Filed under KANSAS CITY

Tags: Cornelia McGregor, Gloria Goody