Avoid Tragedy

Two persons were killed in a twovehicle, failure-to-yield crash near Pettisville on Christmas Eve.

Less than a week later, a mother and four children died when a drunk driver, going the wrong way on a Toledo interstate, plowed into their minivan.

A week ago, two international students of Bowling Green State University died when they were passengers in a university van that went out of control in snowy weather.

The 2007-08 holiday season was particularly tragic, with a stunning death toll. All the crashes must serve as reminders to drivers throughout the region that everyone must drive safely.

Remember to drive defensively. Be watchful of other drivers who may be distracted by their stereo or cell phone. Or maybe they had a few drinks too many - or more than a few drinks too many. The evasive action you take to avoid the other car could save your life.

Remember, when roads are covered with snow and ice, you can't rely on your vehicle to perform as usual. When roads are slick, it takes longer to stop. Reduce speed. Be extra careful on curves and turns. Maneuver your vehicle slowly and gently.

Watch for patches of ice and snow, particularly on bridges and overpasses. Motorists can find the going easy one minute, then suddenly hit an icy patch and lose control.

Be aware of road conditions, and be prepared for what's coming.

Remember to keep your vehicle properly maintained. Good tires will stop better than worn ones. Two headlights are better than one. Just after a truck has sprayed your windshield with muddy water is the wrong time to discover you've neglected to fill the windshield washer reservoir.

Most important of all, remember to buckle your seatbelt. Your chances of surviving a crash are greatly improved if you're wearing your lap belt and shoulder harness. Air bags and other passive restraints are designed to work in conjunction with seatbelts, not in their absence.

Persons who fail to wear a seatbelt run the risk of being thrown from a vehicle in a violent crash. In many cases, when a passenger is thrown from a vehicle, it ends up on top of them.

There already have been too many deaths this winter, and many months of cold weather, ice, and snow lay ahead.

Don't become a statistic.