I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS!

CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR LARGER VIEWINGHere comes the car being pulled by the cable & equipment from Calspan........

LOOK at the student on her cell phone!! This is a quick reminder that we can never reach all novice drivers. DOES SHE DO THIS WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL?
This is after the 30 mph staged crash. I tried to lighten the pics as much as possible. It is just so dark, cold and rainy right now.
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Today was the press conference for Buckle Up New York and the Niagara Traffic Safety Program. I arrived at 11:30 to speak at the press conference and was excited to see the media turnout! Media is an extremely crucial element in traffic safety. Education and enforcement can only reach so many but when the media do their part, they are spreading the message to a much larger audience.

After the press conference, we moved outside to witness a staged motor vehicle crash. I moved my way up into the stands with the students and anxiously awaited the event.

No one could have ever, ever prepared my emotions for what I experienced.

Yes, I have seen video upon video of crashes BUT never have I had the opportunity to witness a crash in person.

For my growth and knowledge, I am thankful that I witnessed this. PERSONALLY, I AM NOT. To hear the sounds of metal being crumpled, to view the impact of A 3000 lb vehicle ramming into another AND to view the end results of where the dummies landed, the broken glass that was on them and where the un-belted dummies ended, it hit all to close to home at a time in my life that I was not ready.

When will I ever be ready? I don't have a clue. Talking about the topic is ok for me. Seeing and hearing a re-enactment of what changed my life in a dramatic way - will never be easy.

I stood there alone, tears in my eyes and feeling as though I wanted to vomit.

I mean, how many people get to watch a re-enactment of the event that almost killed them?

WE NEED TO HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS FOR ALL STUDENTS.

WE ARE A VISUAL SOCIETY AND IT TAKES THINGS OF THIS MAGNITUDE TO TRULY AFFECT OUR DECISION MAKING PROCESS.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN MAKING THE NIAGARA TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM A RE-OCCURRING EVENT HERE IN NEW YORK STATE.