There is no reason not to wear seat belts

Many deaths on Kentucky roads can and should be prevented, especially among younger drivers.

Preliminary statistics from Kentucky State Police indicate that six people died in six separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from May 27 through Sunday.

All involved motor vehicles, and four of the victims were not wearing seat belts.

One of these fatalities happened over the weekend and involved an Alvaton resident and recent Greenwood High School graduate, William A. Comer, 18.

Comer was killed when the vehicle he was riding in was returning from Barren River Lake in Allen County. The driver, Matt Ryan Broce, 17, of Bowling Green, attempted to pass a vehicle, losing control of his truck and striking another vehicle. Broce’s vehicle then went into a slide, crossed the grass median into the southbound lane and overturned. Comer and Broce were both ejected; neither was wearing a seat belt. Broce is listed in stable condition.

Our hearts go out to both of the families and God only knows if a seat belt could have saved William’s life.

One thing certain is that a seat belt would have made survival more likely in this situation and others like it.

The numbers are telling.

Through Sunday, KSP statistics indicate that 239 people have lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents on Kentucky roadways during 2008. Of those, 153 were not wearing seat belts.

The question is what can we do to persuade people to wear seat belts?

The legislature has passed a law requiring all drivers in Kentucky to wear seat belts and made not complying a primary offense, which means police can pull over motorists who are unbuckled. Law enforcement is trying to do its part. Officers set up roadblocks around holidays and some weekends, but perhaps more can be done on a daily basis to target drivers not wearing seat belts, coupled with awareness campaigns.

Most schools have driver education classes that teach teens about safety. While we hope these drivers take them to heart, obviously many are not. Parents and guardians must set the example and demand that their children wear seat belts. Peer pressure must make it cool - or at least smart - to wear seat belts. Police should take a more proactive role in ticketing unbuckled drivers.

We do know that too many people are losing their lives, some because they’re not wearing a seat belt, and that something has got to change these drivers’ attitudes so they don’t also become statistics.