OT - Another example of why you should wear a seatbelt

[Jenn D]

From the Orlando Sentinel, today...

Five Orlando children and a woman are being treated for significant injuries after being thrown from a minivan on Interstate 4 as it overturned in Polk County this morning, the Florida Highway Patrol said.



Three of the children and the woman are in critical condition at Orlando Regional and Lakeland Regional Medical Centers, said FHP Capt. Cindy Williams. Two of the children who were thrown from the van are in stable condition at Lakeland Regional, Williams said.





Neither the children nor the woman, who was driving, were wearing seat belts.



According to Williams, the Orlando woman, who is the mother of four of the children, was driving a 1993 Dodge Caravan west on Interstate 4 when there was some type of tire malfunction.



The woman lost control of the vehicle and it began to overturn. As the van flipped, the children and the woman were thrown into I-4 lanes and spread out about 50 feet.



The only passenger inside the van who was wearing a seat belt was not injured and was not ejected. Williams said that woman is the parent of one of the children. Troopers do not know her whereabouts.



No names have been released, but Williams said they are from Orlando.

Simply amazing.

 

[Paul Maurer 2]

Unbelievable- what kind of idiot abuses their kids in this way? Obviously, as an adult, you can't be forced to wear one, but protecting your kids is your job. So sad, so easily avoided....

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

In California you will be ticketed for not wearing your seat belt; so, yes you can be forced to wear one. I wonder it the mother/driver will be charged with child neglect.

 

[TomT]

Texas is very active enforcing seatbelt and child seat laws but not all states are. That's why my brother-in-law in Missouri refers to children there as ozark airbags.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Roger, as in Ohio, you will be ticketed as well, however, that does not FORCE anyone to wear it.



Two days ago in my home town a lady was driving her Caddy WAY TOO FAST and lost control. She was injured but walked from the accident. Paramedics arrived to take care of her and it was clear she was drunk.



She was taken to the hospital with no citation as of yet, (pending investigation).



So here is the catch. While cleaning up the scene, the wrecker operator opened the trunk to throw some of the debris into it. What he found was her 2 year old child with both arms missing, both legs missing and the baby's head was almost decapitated.



She was drunk enough that she neglected to mention she had her child with her. She hit a tree so hard against the rear bumper that the rear seat of the caddy folded into the trunk killing the child instantly.



I have VERY serious issues with parents that do not FORCE their kids to wear seat belts and those that drive drunk. There is no room for leniency for these two issues.



This woman needs to be convicted of murder. Kids don't know better, it is our responsibility as an adult to protect them.