Regardless of seatbelt use, this is sad and tragic.

 

WOW, I am so sorry to hear about this! I feel for their family!! My uncle works for the highway patrol accident response team on the east coast. He told me a while back that he never had to un-buckle a dead person. That statement stuck with me my whole life!

 

With 30 years law enforcement experience, my observations evolved my habits from: "What do I need a seatbelt for? Nothing can happen to me." to: "Where's that @##^$@ seatbelt? I'm not starting the engine till I'm hooked up." It has carried over to the point that sometimes I unconsiously fasten the seatbelt then discover that I left the keys in my pocket. I'm well aware that even with seatbelts fastened I may not survive certain situations. But I feel that with seatbelts fastened I have upped the odds of my survival considerably. End of sermon. You are all adults and have decision making capabilities ( I hope ). See you on the trails.

 

Been a Fireman/Paramedic for 15 years in 3 different counties. Can’t count how many rollovers I have been to. Can say that short of incineration, I have rarely seen fatalities (or even critical injuries) in rollovers if the occupants are seat belted. The vehicle absorbs all the energy so there is normally not that sudden deceleration transfer on internal organs.

Please wear your seatbelts. Even if you end up on your side, your seatbelt will prevent your head from popping out an open window and being squished like a grape. Don’t just think of survivability but avoiding concussions, fractures and soft tissue injuries as well as dental reconstruction from eating the steering wheel.

Such a tragic loss, I am so sorry for their family & friends.

 

All are a tragic loss,and the hardest for me is to see is the children.

33

 

My grandfather lives up in kernville and I have wheeled up in the area a lot. It is sad they passed away and my prayers are with them and thier families. I always wear my seatbelt and anyone who rides with me does also. but on that trail it would not have mattered it they did have their belts on. That roll is no joke and unforturnatly it was thier time.

 

Also being in law enforcement, it is very wise to have a combo tool that will allow you to break glass AND cut a seat belt. If you were to roll, you would be able to hopefull free yourself. FYI....

 

When I was 20 I was involved in a head-on accident with a girl I was dating at the time. We were on our way back through a canyon and I did not have my seatbelt on. She was driving, well, like a 20 year old girl drives. Intuition got the best of me and I decided to buckle up. 5 minutes later we were in a head-on accident where she made a turn too fast and we ended up in the oncoming lane. To this day, I wear my seat belts and have often wondered If I'd be here today if I didn't? I don't want to ask myself that question again.

 

Seat belts really do work.....