Many people still choose to forego seat belts while in the car even though seat belts have been proven to save lives. Some believe seat belts are uncomfortable while others trust in their own driving but forget their steering wheel does not control other drivers on the road. Finally, some people just forget. Four tragic auto accidents that occurred over last holiday weekend should remind drivers and passengers in Louisiana to buckle up.
On the Fourth of July a single-car accident occurred near Lake Charles, Louisiana. The car crash occurred in the evening around 6:06 p.m. The driver and passenger were headed down U.S. Highway 171 when the car crashed near Louisiana Highway 26 south of DeRidder. The passenger was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Two days earlier, another single-car crash occurred. The crash occurred in Avoyelles Parish. The 46-year-old driver was headed down Louisiana Highway 1192 east of Louisiana Highway 1 when the crash occurred. The driver was not wearing a seat belt and died from his injuries at a local hospital.
On July 3, a single-vehicle accident occurred at 4:41 p.m. The driver crashed on Louisiana Highway 14 near Louisiana Highway 717. According to a police report, the car left the road, entered a ditch and flipped. The driver was also not wearing his seat belt and died during the crash.
On the afternoon of June 28 a single-car crash occurred in Tangipahoa Parish. The driver was traveling on Interstate 55 and crashed about one mile south of the Louisiana Highway 22 Ponchatoula exit. Again, the driver was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Last year almost 60 percent of the people who died in car accidents in Louisiana were not wearing a seat belt. The next time you forget to wear a seat belt, put it on as soon as you remember.
Source: TheTownTalk.com, “Our View: What will it take to get Louisiana to buckle up?” 7/5/11
