Just before 2:15pm on Friday, June 27, a collision occurred that ended in three being taken to the hospital in Boone County, Missouri. As a Buick Enclave was traveling northbound on MO-763, north of Prathersville Road, they were cut off by a Ford Fusion attempting to make a U-turn from the shoulder. The Enclave collided with the Fusion, injuring both the driver and an occupant in each vehicle.
The driver of the Enclave sustained minor injuries in the crash, while an occupant sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital via ambulance. The driver of the other vehicle also sustained minor injuries, while a passenger was more severely injured, and taken to the hospital as well. Both seriously injured victims were not wearing their seatbelts, while the drivers were. And, due to damage received in the accident, both vehicles were totaled.
This incident highlights the importance of utilizing the safety devices in our cars, like seatbelts, to maintain safety and security in the event of a car accident. In this scenario, four people were injured and the two that were most severely injured were the only two not wearing a seatbelt; this fact adds to the mountain of evidence that seatbelts save lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides data from 2023 that almost 24,000 people died in car accidents in passenger vehicles, and nearly half of those victims were not buckled up. The same source says that buckling up can reduce your risk of fatality in a car accident by up to 60%.
On the other hand, this collision should also remind us to stay vigilant on the road, and that defensive driving is good driving. Unfortunately, sometimes simply following the traffic laws as written is not enough, so it oftentimes fails to protect you when others don’t abide by the laws. While speeding, running a red light, and texting-and-driving (or otherwise distracted or imprudent driving) are all against the law, the practices are not uncommon, and it is in our best interest to be hyper-vigilant on the roads.