When I was growing up I don’t remember if our family station wagon even had seat belts. Fast-forward to today and I refuse to back out of the garage until everyone is buckled in. These days it seems most children don’t need to be bribed or whined at by adult drivers in order for them to fasten their seat belts. Even my 3-year-old daughter knows that seat belts help save lives. And this next story simply drives home that point.
Last week an Oregon man swung by a fast food restaurant to pick up a handy breakfast sandwich. Once he got his food he proceeded to drive to his destination. Then, the unthinkable happened. According to police, the male driver choked on his sandwich and blacked out. His 1997 Honda missed crashing into oncoming traffic before striking a parked car. Police say the man survived… thanks to his seat belt.
BUT WAIT! The seat belt aided the man in a way most of us would never dream it could. According to paramedics who responded to the accident scene, the driver’s seat belt induced a Heimlich maneuver reaction. After the wreck the man came to, but later collapsed again. He was rushed to the hospital where he is recovering.
Oregon police told news reporters that the man could have easily choked to death if it were not for his seat belt. They say the fact that the driver is alive today is somewhat of a miracle. Officers also urged other motorists who tend to eat while driving to take the extra time to pull over to the side of the road to consume their meal.
Speaking of driving while eating…
A Michigan helicopter pilot evidently got very hungry while piloting his chopper, but decided against eating in mid-air. It may sound like a wise decision, but it turns out police had other ideas.
According to news reports, the hungry pilot touched down in a grassy area near a busy commercial district northwest of Detroit. He then left the chopper unattended as he crossed the road to a local restaurant. While the pilot was eating employees at the store next to the parked chopper called police.
Officers ticketed the pilot for an illegal landing, but not before the man tried to weasel his way out of the wrongdoing. Police say the pilot first claimed to have had permission to land there, and then said the helicopter was having mechanical problems. After a few minutes, the pilot fessed up and admitted he was hungry and wanted to eat lunch.
The hungry pilot now faces a charge that carries a fine of up to $500 and maximum 90 days in jail.
Oh, and by the way, the grassy area the pilot chose park his chopper was located less than a quarter-mile from the airport.
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