By Alice Laizure
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| Alice Laizure |
The majority of us do it every day. It is just part of our
daily routine. Getting in to our car and driving, to work, school, activities,
etc.
Recently, on Aug. 6 at 12:15 p.m. to be exact, I learned
the hard way just how important seat belts are in our everyday commuting.
As I was exiting I-470 on the Fairlawn Street ramp in
Topeka, I was going straight across Fairlawn to the second light, so I could
turn left and go west on to 29th Street. I saw no cars, anywhere in site, when
suddenly to my right, out of nowhere there was a black vehicle heading south on
Fairlawn. There was no time to react; all I could think was, where did that car
come from? And BOOM, a strong hit on my
passenger side, and I began rolling. Holding on for dear life, and praying. My
head banging over and over on my left side. My car had rolled three times,
before coming to rest on its side. When my car stopped rolling, I was hanging
in my car by my seat belt.
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| Alice's vehicle after it rolled three times. |
Fortunately, for me, my seat belt had saved my life. The
Fire Department arrived, extracted me from my car and I was whisked away in an
ambulance to the hospital. At the hospital scans were taken, and I had no
broken bones or internal injuries. The doctor
at the Emergency Room told me I was very, very lucky to not have sustained very
serious injuries from my accident. The doctor said I had entire body whiplash.
I consider myself very lucky to have walked away the same day, bruised,
battered and in a lot of pain, but not critically injured.
Today I still feel a bit out of it (probably a concussion),
and have pain from bruised ribs and back pain.
Luckily, my face is no longer black and blue, and I went back to work
two weeks later, working half days.
My message to everyone is, never drive your car without
first making sure you and everyone in your car is buckled up. Please, buckle up without thinking twice
about it, because the simple act of buckling up can mean the difference between
life and death.
Drive safely.
Alice
Laizure works for the Kansas Department of Corrections in Topeka.
Thank you for sharing your story Mom!
ReplyDeleteWhen I received the call about your accident, my heart sunk.
I am so very thankful you were wearing your seatbelt!
That's such a wonderful testament to seat belts and your dedication to safety that the car rolled three times and you were held in place. Glad you're ok - thanks for sharing. Very good reminder to all - buckle up every time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a scary situation. I am thankful you walked away from that crash and I have to wonder what the other driver was thinking. Your story is a testament to how important it is to wear seat belts even if you are just going down the street.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with all of us. I hope you continue to recover from this!
Wow! When your car rolls three times and you aren't injured any worse than you were. . . that says it all when it comes to seat belts. Buckling up is about the simplest thing one can do to take care of themselves. Amazing so many people don't do it. Glad you were wearing yours.
ReplyDeleteSeatbelts are the only safety feature in your vehicle that you must activate yourself.we have airbags, well constructed passenger compartments etc..but all are worthless if you don't stay in the vehicle. So glad you are ok!
ReplyDelete