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Crash a reminder of the value of seat belts

Re. Valrico mourns teen, Oct. 9

My heart truly goes out to the families of Tyler Clark and the seven other victims of the Valrico crash.

But in all of this there is a lesson to be learned. No, it’s not “Let’s paint the medians bright orange.” It’s not even how drivers pay far less attention now than they ever have — being distracted by cell phones, PDAs and other gadgets.
No, the lesson here is one of grave importance. The one thing that stuck in my head from reading the initial article was that none were wearing their seat belts.

I am no expert, but I can’t help but wonder — if they had their seat belts on, would they have been ejected from the car? Would their injuries be as significant? Would Tyler still be with us?

Seat belts may not be “cool” to wear, but they sure do save lives! Make sure your kids are in the habit of buckling up.

- Ken Peterson, St. Petersburg

County is not to blame

Re. Parents lash out at county, Oct. 11 

While the death and injury of children is always a traumatic and sad loss, I am annoyed that the victims’ parents are lashing out, in a state of denial, blaming the county and the unmarked new median for this unfortunate accident.

Yes, the median should have had at least an orange cone on it, but the roadways can contain hazards at any time. Any number of road hazards can cause accidents — wildlife, debris, etc.

Drivers must remain alert to the road to be as safe as possible. Teens are inexperienced drivers, and this young driver was also probably distracted by all of his passengers. One must wonder why so many people were in a Jeep, which can only safely seat 4-5 people.

I place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the parents and on the driver. When are modern American parents going to take more responsibility for their children’s behavior and stop blaming everyone else?

- Ellen Wind, Valrico

For real school safety

Re: Bush: Let our pain spur us to action Oct. 11

Once again the Bush administration has demonstrated its irrelevance in keeping the public safe by holding a meaningless PR exhibition on school violence. This travesty, held in the wake of the tragic school shootings of the last few weeks, produced nothing but empty platitudes.

Intelligent people know what needs to be done, starting with real legislation to control access to guns in this country.

The real weapons of mass destruction aren’t in some imaginary stockpile in Iraq or North Korea, but on the streets of America where they are easily picked up by people with sick minds preying on the innocent.

- Thomas Sweeney, Winter Park

[Last modified October 16, 2006, 09:14:05]