I know my posts are usually fairly light and some even smart-aleky but put your serious hat on for a paragraph or two. You can do it.
Driving to the Resort today at 5:00 a.m. was treacherous. Visibility was low due to lack of light and heavy snowfall and I was certainly fighting the StarWars-esque vertigo that comes with driving in falling snow. I was down the road a bit when I thought, as my Suby slipped around, I better put on my seat belt. In these conditions we become acutely aware of the importance and value of seat belts but, it's so easy to forget to click it on an ordinary clear road day. Here are some U.S. Car Accident Stats to bring the concept of seat belt benefit to the forefront of your brain like those flashing and beeping contraptions in newer model whips.
Did you know?
- A person dies in a car accident every 12 minutes and kill 40,000 people annually in the U.S.
- The leading cause of death for people aged 2-34 is is motor accidents.
- 55% of those killed in passenger vehicle accidents are not wearing seat belts.
- 1 out of 4 Americans STILL do not wear seat belts.
- Teen drivers are 3 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash than any other age group.
- Talking on a cell phone while driving can double your chances of being in an accident.
- 56% of teens admit to talking on a cell phone while driving.
- For every driver 15-17 killed in a car crash there are 2 other people killed in the accident.
I have a laundry list of these startling stats, but I'll spare you. Instead I'll invite you to Sierra-at-Tahoe's 5th Annual Buckle Up Big Air event. This is an awareness event for seat belt and driving safety built around a fun environment. If it's fun the message will better stick in the nooks and crannies of youth brains. Skiers Riders and Spectators are welcome to the fun filled day on the snow. The festivities will be held in the Aspens and will include an on-hill barbecue where proceeds go the Sierra Education Foundation, Music, Raffle with a you-know-what load of prizes, and and a Slopestyle Jam with $1,500.00 Cash Purse. There will also be tons of other booty including snowboards from Sentury and GoPros for the top placers in the Open Class. At then end of the competition, the CHP gives a safety presentation to competitors and event attendees. Before they give out the prizes, of course.
Join Sierra for a fun day of snow culture and help spread this very important social message to ours and your local youth!
This event was spawned in memory of freeride skier and Sierra Resort Team rider Greg Taylor Smith (G.T.S.) who was thrown from a car and tragically killed in 2006. Greg's father Steve Smith puts on this event and is dedicated to keep other parents from suffering his fate.
Greg will forever live in our memory.
Come give ups & throw down your best slopestyle run for GTS.
Saturday, April 19th.
