by Janie E.
Member since:
August 27, 2007

IS THIS REALLY THE ISSUE?

July 07, 2012 05:41 PM UTC
views: 0 | 5 people recommend this | comments: 24

I've been reading comments on this tragedy on our local news website and I found some of these comments to be disturbing.

 

Some of the comments are putting blame on these two poor kids and their mom  for not wearing their seatbelts!!! Really????

 

How do they know if, maybe, they were wearing them and they ripped or maybe, they weren't secured well enough??

 

In my honest opinion, this isn't the issue. Two, bright, young, in love, teenagers are gone. These people that choose to critique are being very insensitive to them and their parents.

 

This isn't a time to critque; it's a time to be sympathetic and supportive of these parents, friends, and teachers.

 

Just my opinion. Thank you for reading and commenting.

 

 

Comments: 24

John Doyle Jul 7, 2012, 5:46pm UTC
It would be helpful if you would state what the issue is
Janie E. Jul 7, 2012, 5:50pm UTC
My daughter lost two of her friends in a terrible car accident and people are criticizing them and their parents because they think they weren't wearing their seatbelts. Please read my post. Thanks.
Juan J Martinez Jul 7, 2012, 6:31pm UTC
Janie it is a tragedy but in many accidents where death accord they could have been prevented if seats belts or child restraints had been used. Take for instance Elena’s resent accident, she was wearing her seat belt. I venture to guess what would have happened if had not been wearing her seatbelt. Last month there was an accident where a small child was thrown from the vehicle be he was not in a child seat. The mother who was wearing her seatbelt was not hurt much but the child was seriously injured. Again if an adult chooses not to wear it that is their choice but a child does not and should not have that choice.
M L M. Jul 7, 2012, 8:31pm UTC
Then what do we do if a car in an accident catches on fire but no one can get out because the seat belts are jammed? Either way, its not that the seatbelt will save a life its that a seat belt MIGHT save a life. Those in the flames didn't survive but they had their seat belts on.
Janie E. Jul 7, 2012, 11:50pm UTC
Sorry to hear about Elena's accident and Natalie's friends were adults. Both of them were 18.
RedBird. B. Jul 7, 2012, 7:42pm UTC
Janie, I do think that No One should Blame the children. It is the Parent's responsiblely too see that the children are seat-belted in. On the other hand, what if they were and then they took them off and the Parent didn't know.
Either way, The way I see it, It does No-Good to Blame, espically now.
What Good can come from it ?
Janie E. Jul 7, 2012, 11:51pm UTC
Exactly, RedBird!
William M. Jul 7, 2012, 7:58pm UTC
The children aren't to blame. After such a tragedy it looks like they would leave the mom alone.
Janie E. Jul 7, 2012, 11:51pm UTC
I feel this way, too!!
M L M. Jul 7, 2012, 8:26pm UTC
What an excellent point. Besides, why won't the media post a lot on those victims that died because they couldn't get their seatbelt off? Why so they sell those "seatbelt knives" for situations that can be fatal if they don't release its victim? K, I'm a little irritated that people only see the "gee, why weren't they wearing seatbelts......" issue, the blasted things can be very dangerous sometimes. Sorry, didn't mean to go postal.
M L M. Jul 7, 2012, 8:27pm UTC
Opppps, shoulda been "Why do they sell........"
Janie E. Jul 7, 2012, 11:52pm UTC
Yes, the media seems to focus on the negative, most of the time.

Thanks, M L M.!
Angela A. Jul 7, 2012, 8:42pm UTC
Sorry to hear about the insensitivity
Janie E. Jul 7, 2012, 11:53pm UTC
It just irritates me to no end!
Sophie S. Jul 7, 2012, 9:22pm UTC
Not having read your earlier post, I had no clue what you were talking about. Now that I do, I don't think placing blame on anyone right now is beneficial to anyone.
Janie E. Jul 7, 2012, 11:53pm UTC
I agree! Thanks, Sophie.
Heather - child of God, C. Jul 8, 2012, 12:12am UTC
It happens because people have nothing better to do. We had two teens hit our home years ago and we couldn't live there 3 months. It was amazing how people who were not there... or even in Florida thought knew more about it than I did.. and I was in bed when they hit...and around the back in minutes. Most had no idea they hit and knocked down a mail box before crossing the road trying to get back on the road.. going the opposite direction into my home.

They just don't have better things to do... and somehow people always try to access blame.
Janie E. Jul 9, 2012, 5:11pm UTC
Yes, I very true, Heather! Scary story.
Blaming the kids is never the issue or the one to blame. People seem to like to blame for several reasons when the truth is they aren't much better.
Janie E. Jul 9, 2012, 5:12pm UTC
I agree!!
Wearing a seatbelt or not isn't in the issue. the kids are gone. Life lost.

I had two sisters get in the same accident. One died. The other did not. One wore a seat belt. One did not. Guess which one died? The one wearing the seatbelt because that is the side the truck flipped on. She was crushed. The sister who wasn't wearing a seat belt was thrown inside the truck. Thrown out of the way when the truck flipped. Thus sparing her life.

That's why I think the seatbelt isn't an issue. Seat belts may save lives. But it takes them to.
Janie E. Jul 9, 2012, 5:13pm UTC
Very sad story, Sandy! Sorry about your sister.

I agree with you!
Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Jul 19, 2012, 6:20am UTC
Unfortunately we have know for years that seat belts save lives. I scratch my head in frustration every time I hear someone died not wearing a seat belt. A young woman in my neighborhood died because she didn't want to wrinkle her dress. Yes, I really think this is the issue. I am sorry for your daughter's loss of two friends but if truth be known they might still be alive if seat belts were worn.
Janie E. Jul 19, 2012, 11:37pm UTC
I agree that seat belts save lives. I wear mine every time I get into a car. I just wonder if there isn't more to this story. Judging these two teenagers and their moms without knowing the facts is insensitive to me.

Thanks, Marilyn.

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