The Newest Safety Seat Belts

The Latest Seat Belts Proven To Reduce Accidents!!!

With another Safe Driving class wrapped up and in the record book, hopefully there are now another 20 people with a renewed perspective about the road. Each time a group of 55+ year old folks get together, there are generally some laughs along with the safety discussions.

An example of this would be the suggested new design for seat belts. We had been talking about the vision and hearing changes that naturally occur as one ages. When asked if they ever 'don't hear' someone talking to them, a deep burly voice resonated,

"Only when it's my wife!!"

She was sitting right next to him and probably laughed the loudest of all of us.

The class was at a new location for me and it was almost perfection! My local church agreed to host the session, and we had a [former] classroom that was set up with tables, chairs, and a TV/VCR. Similar to the picture, one side was half window straight to the ceiling, and the 'postcard-type' snow that was happening outside was absolutely beautiful. And it was toasty warm, too!

So, what kept it from being perfect?

Well, every once in a while, the heating system would replenish the water going through the system, and it produced a sound similar to a boot kicking a metal radiator cover. It wasn't so much loud as it was unpredictable. About the third time it happened, it kind of naturally occurred right after I had finished making a point. [Cue: Bang!] And a woman voiced,

"Exclamation Point!!"

Some holiday cookies and snacks were brought in and shared on the second day. People were smiling and seemed to enjoy the whole experience as a group of friends. The comedian was in the back on the right side, and entertained us with some witty remarks. We were discussing the importance of leaving some space in front of you as you come to a red light or stop sign, and glancing in the rear view mirror to be sure that the car/truck behind you was really stopping also. That way, if you need to inch up to give them some space, you would have that option. A woman asked,

"What should you do if you see that they are not going to stop?"

Without missing a beat, the answer from the back advised,

"Hold on !!"

And that became the answer to all the questions after that, along with

"Exclamation Point!"

My personal version of the course evaluation is to hand out a half sheet of note paper and ask them to share with me if they found out something that they didn't already know, and/or would there be something that they would do differently as a result of our discussions. Responses included the usual ones of :

I will put a throw-away camera in the glove box.

I will be a more patient driver, and when the light turns green, I will 'look to the left' to make sure that someone is not trying to beat out the yellow light. [And hit me broadside!]

I feel more respectful of big trucks, their blind spots, and their inability to stop as fast as a car.

When making a left turn, I will keep the wheels straight until I actually begin the turn by stepping on the gas.

I will get OFF of the road to use my cell phone because there are no 'do-overs' with crashes.

One woman wrote that she had not taken any kind of driver training in 43 years, and that she didn't realize how much she needed to know. And that the teacher was 'quick, thorough, considerate, and charming!!'

I love the fact that maybe someone will slow down, and smell the roses a bit more. We do not need to be in such a hurry at all times.

And there you have it.