STAY WELL & Sparkle: A Child Shall Lead Them

Dr. Sam Christian
Dr. Sam Christian

So what if a person ate only itals, had great cholesterol, exercised, did mammograms or PSA? Failing to survive a traffic accident leaves him or her just as dead – and much quicker too. We can all agree, therefore, that paying due consideration to seat belts is a paramount health issue.

First off, let me just say how much I enjoy reading Dr. Emmanuel’s Health Talk as well as Dr. Cory. I always find something quite substantial in the good work put out by my fellow physicians. Last week’s piece on road safety, in particular, deserves another look.

Buckle up?

Shortly after returning home a year ago, an old friend and her husband offered me a ride. I instantly snapped on my seat belt.

“Visitor!” They laughed. At first I didn’t get it. Did I do something wrong? That quizzical look on my face prompted them to point to my seat belt.

“You can always tell the strangers and those away for too long.” They chuckled.

Wait. That’s not all. I laughed right along with them and moved on to the next topic. It never occurred to me the impact of that encounter until reading last week’s article.

By the late 1970’s, available data had already proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that airbags/seat belt combination saved lives. Implementation however, was thoroughly thwarted for years by the ‘Big Three’ North American auto manufacturers. They contended that spending a little extra would make their cars less affordable and less competitive to the surging Japanese. Not only that, to justify their position, they actively stoked public myths about airbags/seat belts. Wisdom finally prevailed. Airbags now come standard and automatically installed in all new cars. Seat belts however, have to be actively buckled and only takes a couple seconds.  Today if a parent fails to buckle up their child, that’s child abuse and the average North American would be horrified.

So off I went to our Traffic Department to get Dominica’s official position on seat belts. A high-ranking officer spoke to me on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to discuss policy matters. Basically, he acknowledged that like motorcycle helmets, seat belt use in Dominica is encouraged, but not enforced. He could not speak for other Caricom countries, but felt it was about the same. The prevailing notion was that people felt that being ‘strapped in’ would trap them in event of accident. It also interfered with reaching around for things and that seat belts inconvenienced them if they needed to pop out of the vehicle for a quick something. He could not speculate on what proportion of traffic fatalities that may have been prevented by seat belt use. He honestly felt it was not significant.

Don’t blame God

Dominicans generally believe ‘Si or biteh ni pou wivay, E kay wivay: if something has to happen, it will – seat belt or no seat belt. You cannot stop fate, right? One slogan in a Muslim country really caught people’s attention. It simply said “Wear your seat belt. Heaven can wait.” The assumption is that God just sits around plucking chosen people from highways because he loves them and wants them to be with Him. Isn’t that effectively what we end up saying as we try to comfort the bereaved?

Frankly, I think this a worthwhile national conversation to have right now. It is not a partisan issue. It simply takes thought leaders like you to push it on the national agenda. Once we have made that corporate decision as a people, just step aside and unleash the power of youth to make it happen.

On occasion, when I was in a hurry or preoccupied, a little voice from the child seat at the back would jerk me back to reality: “Daddy, put on your seat belt!” Of course, I would be pricked in my conscience. Thank God my children have helped my live up to my core values and knowledge. A seat belt campaign would not have to cost the Treasury one cent. In the words of my favourite “Baby Machine” calypsonian, just don’t put a ‘hardback like me’ in charge. In the days of the independence struggle, there were those who would not be convinced that we could ever rule ourselves. We came to the conclusion that such people just had to die off – there was no hope for them.

So encouraging seat belt use ought not be a top down affair.  Don’t start by giving tickets and imposing fines, but perhaps with 6-month public service announcement campaign. During that time, a school jingle and slogan design competition would engage the youth, bringing out their creativity and excitement. Then do random surveys on teachers and parents at the schoolyard gates. The school with the highest percentage of belted drivers and most improved would win bragging rights and prizes sponsored by business. Can you imagine students having the chance to playfully chastise teachers and parents this way? Later on, begin ticketing drivers involved in accidents who were not wearing their seat belts and so on.

We don’t have to re-invent the wheel. The faint-hearted dare not find out the facts, but internationally, seat belts save 25-50% of potential road fatalities. And can you imagine? After I got that ride, I actually stopped wearing my seat belt! Yes, I am ashamed to admit it. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa… Well, that was until reading last week’s article.

Seat belt use in Dominica currently appears to be about 3% at best. And trust me, a lot more than that have driven overseas and should know better. So I suspect I’m not the only one to slip right back into the culture instead of challenging it. Think of the local celebrities who could be recruited in a sustained campaign. After one year we can have at least 10% of drivers using seat belts – easy! Better than 50% in 5 years; of this I am certain.  At that time, instead of complaining about those crazy Dominican drivers on those dizzying hairpin mountain roads, visitors will marvel at such a motivated, disciplined little country. Can you catch that vision? Yes; and to make it happen, a child shall lead them.

Dr. Sam Christian is a surgeon and health activist. His Urgent Care on 137 Bath Road provides prompt medical treatment, surgery and acupuncture. He is radio host of the Medical Minute, Medical Adviser to the Dominica Cancer Society and author of the faith and fitness nutrition book, ‘Mannafast Miracle.’ Dr. Christian can be reached anytime at 440-9133, 615-8345 or by writing to [email protected].

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15 Comments

  1. Francisco Telemaque
    March 17, 2014

    You know I really do not mind getting as many thumbs down!

    Nevertheless, it might serve a better purpose if some of the people giving the thumbs down would simply spend a little time to explain why they dislike what I or another person wrote. Counter, or contrast what I say if you can, refute, or repute my comments if you have something better to contribute.

    Something which may help me develop, teach me something from your knowledge, and experiences, but simply giving a thumbs down cannot help me, nor any one else except the person giving the thumbs down, who may be gratified by doing so.

    Self gratification might be the motive, and such motives maybe as a result of hate; when we hate others we cause ourselves a tremendous amount of pain, in order to hate someone we have to exhort a certain amount of pain on our person. We have to wake up everyday thinking something nasty about the person we hate to keep the drudge burning in order to dislike even the thought of that person we hate.

    Funny thing the person we hate more than half the time does not know that we exists!

    Here is my experience of hate: I was once a tariff clerk, and working for O. D. Brisbane on the island of Antigua, the Manger James Harris, was my friend, his wife and my wife were friends also, James and I would get drunk almost everyday, his wife blamed be as a bad influence, it so happened I had to go Dominica, to visit my grandmother who was sick. I ask James for some time off he told me our Boss Charles Brisbane said I could not get any time off.

    Well, nobody tells this kid here what he can, and cannot do especially where it pertains to my family, so I went to Dominica, when I returned, my little son at the time said to me “daddy you are fired!” He gave me letter from my friend telling James Harris telling me I am fired. From that day I never spoke to James nor his wife. I came to the United States, an after seven (7) I decided to return to Dominica, and Antigua for a visit; before I left I decided it was time for me to go and visit with James too.

    I went to were the old O. Brisbane was located, and found out they moved to Factory Road, I went there and walked in and ask someone to tell James Harris I am here to see him, the young man laugh, and ask my name, when I told him, he said oh so you are Telemaque, well sorry, but Mr. passed seven years ago.

    The moral here is that I held malice in my heart towards a dead man! I never had the chance, to say to him well boy, let us let the grudge go and continue drinking we bad run as usual! More than seven years of drudge for nothing!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  2. Peace & Love
    March 17, 2014

    This is a discussion we need to have. Also, with the advent of mobile phones, there are also other driving dangers.
    Some years ago The Optimist Club used to organize annual Safety week activities a part of the Respect For Law program. They partnered with the Police on May Day and would choose strategic locations to stop and provide safety flyers to drivers going out of town or driving on that day to alert them to buckle up, don’t drink and drive, obey the speed limit, etc. First Domestic was a key sponsor. It really should have been done more often, on most holidays but there were challenges. Most of the public’s reaction was positive, although there were many interesting excuses why they were not wearing seatbelts. Some of the drivers also thought it would hinder them if they went over a slope in an accident.
    In 2010, The club also promoted Oprah’s “No Phone Zone” Day in Dominica, addressing the dangers talking and texting while driving, which most of us are guilty of. These are programs which can be continued. The service clubs can join together to continue to implement the Optimist program as the public needs to be educated on the dangers of certain driving habits and safety measures.
    The World Bank has a Global Road Safety strategic plan ending in 2015, to provide assistance to developing countries for implementation of cost-effective road safety programs. Perfect opportunity.

  3. March 17, 2014

    “If something has to happen, it will – seat belt or no seat belt”–Doctor Christian’s message.

    In a time like say 20 years ago, I would agree with that statement above–I am Dominican as well you know! But not today! Because I have learned the power of the mind “for” or “against” our stability in Life–it will all depend on which “aspect” of existing, that mind has accepted, because of its condition.

    God’s plan is a good plan for us and so He is not about “what has to happen will happen–that is not a truth of Life.

    We don’t stop fate, for we are the ones who choose our fate, based on the seeds we allow to be sowed on the grounds of our mind or which of the seeds that mind will accept–again, because of its condition.

    The mind that is in good shape–meaning being able to receive the things of God–that mind maintains the gift or “discernment”–for it is a spiritual gift from God, because He also gave us “free will”; by its process we make the choice. Discernment points our the right choice.

    It is definite that God wants us to live, but by our choice we either desire to learn His plan in our lives or we simply allow fate to do its course in us.

    For example when the Prophet Isaiah told King Hezekiah that he was going to die the king pleaded with God–he did not simply say if that is what must happen so be it– and Hezekiah was given another 15 years to live. Isaiah 38: 5

    It is the same way a seat belt could be the reason a person will leave for 20 more years–if in his or her mind the thought is about Life–and not whatever will be will be.

    In others words we do not simply settle in our existence–to be like, in a boat on angry waters, with the waves tossing us to and thro–we have no control of what is happening to us.

    But that is what those who say–if it has to happen it will happen; that is not a principle of the Life God wants us to live.

    • March 17, 2014

      In today’s world motor vehicles are built to move faster, roads are being built to increase speed through miles per hour, and so the law imposes seat belts, which definitely will save lives–again it is the drivers choice.

      When I was in Dominica in 2008, my good friend took me to the beach, which was at Portsmouth. As we were driving I noticed that the vehicle was equipped with seat belt but no one–including myself–was wearing it.

      I told them that in Canada we have the seat belt law and if the police stop the driver he would be charged the penalty of us not wearing our seat belt. My work in Toronto for 30 years involved being on the highway every day so I know.

      My friend told me that the same law is in Dominica but——————

      In October of 2008, two months after I returned to Toronto, from Dominica, my mom wrote to tell me that my friend had gotten into a very bad accident in New Town. she almost suffered a broken neck–she was critical for quite some time, but she survived that accident.

      I am quite sure that she wasn’t wearing her seat belt, while driving–I know also that she wasn’t an experienced driver.

      Thoughts are the production of our mind–regardless of its condition, and “as a man thinks in his mind so is he”. Proverbs 23: 7–we show the world who we are through our words and action

      We should not simply take warnings for granted–no matter how those warnings come–many a time it is from above, the message of divine precaution. Too bad so many of us are ignoring those warnings–and worse too, we blame God for our bad fate.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      March 17, 2014

      Elizabeth, this is not about God, we are focused on wether we should buckle our seatbelts or not!

      Whereas, we should obey the law or not, some people just feels uncomfortable buckling up. As I said there are advantages, and disadvantages, assuming that one gets rear ended the seatbelt may prevent both driver and passenger from going through the windshield.

      On the other hand; faced with the experience which I had when I attempted to save the drunk driver life, the seatbelt could have cost him his life, and mine, and that of my friend. You see once I got involved, and was trying to get him out of there, I could not walk away from him, even if I was aware of the gasoline spilling all over the place, I had to get him out.

      If I left him hanging upside-down, and that vehicle caught fire, and exploded, my conscience would have haunt me for the rest of my life. If I died in the process of helping him, I suppose the audience of that day would all consider me fool to have forfeited my life to save him.

      I know the black stand-by would call me an idiot to forfeited my life to save an white boy! Don’t you know how to write without including God into it.

      I thought you claim to be a creative write; writer and binder of books, and believe yo me if you had not shown me your work, your handy craft, I would not be talking about you now eh! You need to stop mentioning God in everything you write.

      Francisco E. Telemaque

      • March 17, 2014

        Don’t blame God Dominicans generally believe ‘Si or biteh ni pou wivay, E kay wivay: if something has to happen, it will – seat belt or no seat belt. You cannot stop fate, right? One slogan in a Muslim country really caught people’s attention. It simply said “Wear your seat belt. Heaven can wait.” The assumption is that God just sits around plucking chosen people from highways because he loves them and wants them to be with Him. Isn’t that effectively what we end up saying as we try to comfort the bereaved?–“Doctor Christian”

        Telemaque the paragraph above is from Doctor Christians message; it is from that paragraph which I based my theme. You will see that this paragraph is entitled: “Don’t blame God”

        I is quite obvious that you did not read that far from Doctor Christians message–why don’t you learn to read before you comment?

        And what does that blah blah, blah, above, about your situation with other people in Antigua or Dominica has to do with Doctor Christians message about wearing seat belts?

        It is not about God–nothing is about God as far as you are concerned–why do you even claim to believe in Him–I will never know.

        And one more thing! The individual and others like him or her, who are giving you the thumbs here is as stupid as you are.

      • March 17, 2014

        You need to stop mentioning God in everything you write.—Francisco E. Telemaque

        Francisco you must have been extremely intoxicated, when you wrote that line above, for this is right from the devil into your mind. Are you commanding me to leave God out of my Life?

        Go ahead and exalt yourself or to seek for that self exaltation–just as you did in your comments here–but Jesus has warned me through His disciples when He told them: “You can do nothing without Me, you see!

        I am sure that Doctor Christian will agree with me; because unlike you he is a humble man, he has always mentioned God in his messages that is the reason I believe him as I follow what he writes okay!

  4. jahyout
    March 16, 2014

    Hey Dr. Sam Christian, I enjoyed reading your article. Whiles visiting the US and staying in SM I always used my seat belt. Since coming back home I use it now and then especially when am alone and really in a hurry… But I will try to do better..

  5. Patti
    March 16, 2014

    Anyone who rides in my vehicle will wear a seat belt. My friends know that. When I take my younger friends children the children sit in the back seat and wear seat belts. I tell them I love them and want them safe. It just takes a second to buckle up. If you love your children, family and friends, buckle them up and buckle yourself up.

  6. Anonymous
    March 16, 2014

    I wear mine most of the time. My husband taught me to drive here with it. Feels weird when I don’t strap in.

  7. Native & indigenous
    March 16, 2014

    when you and people like you live in metropolitan states like the us and you adopt their culture please do not come and try to impose it upon us, The police officer was right we live and grow in our culture and we are accustomed to what we know please do not come and decorate your ideas to pretend like it is what is best for us, sit belts are on most vehicles, and i assume the one you have is so equipped, there fore you have the option to use it or not to use it,. that is your choice and the constitution gives you that choice use it but do not impose it.

    • Serious
      March 17, 2014

      You are an idiot, plain and simple…if you shake your head, the noise that you will hear is your brain rattling around in your head. I can’t believe this ridiculous comment of yours is posted here…Are you for real?

      • Serious
        March 17, 2014

        The above response is to the comment from “Native & indigenous”

  8. sandraw
    March 16, 2014

    Dr C, spot on, as always. I, too have stopped using my seatbelt, except on highways, but I personally have seen two road fatalities in Dominica, where the vehicle was hardly damaged at all. One was a broken neck caused by impact on the steering wheel. A seatbelt would definitely have saved his life.
    Really, it should be enforced on buses too – but that will take a lot of effort.
    A good start would be just letting people know that wearing a seatbelt can save their life, or that of their child. It would take time, but is definitely a safety measure worth implementing.

  9. Francisco Telemaque
    March 15, 2014

    “prevailing notion was that people felt that being ‘strapped in’ would trap them in event of accident. It also interfered with reaching around for things and that seat belts inconvenienced them if they needed to pop out of the vehicle for a quick something.”

    Indeed, there is an advantage, and disadvantage in utilizing the seat belts. Whereas they do help to save life’s. It is also true that people are found dead strapped into their seat. One of the advantage is that Seatbelts prevents both passengers and driver from being thrown from the vehicle in the event of an accident.

    However, Seatbelts are likely to prevent victims of an accident from escaping from burning Cars. I had an experience: returning from Las Vegas, a while back, after a weekend of fun and gambling; in a distance I saw hundreds of emergency lights flashing; traffic was moving less than twenty miles per hour on I-15 in areas where people usually violate the law and go over a hundred miles per hour, personally, I do like ————; and I am not saying how much because this is the Internet, and I do not want the police to come and arrest me based on my own confession. In any event I maneuvered my way to the front of everybody. When I got there I saw someone driving, swerving from lane to lane, from left to right, that was the reason for the backed up traffic; the driver was inebriated and no one wanted to drive past him.

    As I slowed down, the man ran off the Freeway, into a ditch, I stopped in the middle of the Freeway, and got out and went to assist the guy. When I got to the wreck, there was gasoline leaking all over the place, literally running all over the place; added to that bottles of open alcohol.

    The man was not moving, I held on to one of his feet, and pulled on it, by then I realize his seatbelt was buckled, He was upside down in the vehicle I tried to reach the latch, but could not, by that time he regained consciousness, I ask him if he could here me, and if he could to tell me his name. I told him to unfasten his seat belt, so that I could pull him out; he complied.

    I arranged his legs in a safe position, and pulled him out of the motor vehicle. The vehicle was turned upside down, whereas the seatbelt may have prevented a broken neck, it could have cause him to burn to death in that vehicle. I also jeopardized my life, and that of my girlfriend who assisted me in the process, while all the white people, and other color of people; Blacks too stood by screaming to me that it may blow, it may blow worried about the gasoline that was flowing form the gas tank; if that gasoline flowed unto the hot exhaust, it could have ignited, and Doncetta, the drunk, and kid Francisco would be blown into oblivion, where I would be playing on my harp right now.

    Anyway I got him on the side of road, did an semi vital, discovered he was disoriented, and drunk, by the time I was through the Ambulance and police, and media reporters began to arrive, the kid simply slide in the into my hot rod, used some sanitizer to clean off his blood from my hands, and headed to LA.

    Airbags can also serve a good purpose, nevertheless they have killed people also, and most likely children, there are many instances where they killed children, that is why they were protested when it became mandatory to install them in vehicles. Personally, I hate Seatbelts, I only snap them all when I see a motor cycle cop behind me, or parked on the side of the street monitoring traffic, I got cited for not buckling up many times, but hell in LA, the penalty is only twenty-five measly dollars anyway!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

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