Tempting Fate

Why 
is it that we are so often tempted to test fate? I know it’s human nature, and yet it makes me crazy when adults in particular do so repeatedly. When adults tempt fate with kids in the car it really makes me crazy, and when an adult has
been asked not to do it again, but does, I am at a loss to understand why.

I have very strong feelings about seatbelts that were hammered home many years
ago in my son’s pediatrician’s office. There was an article posted in every
examining room that explained the impact of car accidents as related to how
fast the car was traveling. For example, a car hit by another car traveling at
only 20 miles per hour may seem like nothing, however to an unrestrained child
the impact will be the same as if that child got out of the car and ran into a
brick wall at 20 miles per hour. Stop and think about that, because I don’t
know about you, but I couldn’t run 20 miles per hour if I tried, and yet I
still know that I don’t want to run into a wall, no matter how slow I’m going.

My daughter is in a carpool, and when it got back to me that one of the drivers
 was placing two kids in one seatbelt, I was not happy. I know many of us grew up
bouncing around the backseats of our parents cars, but much like smoking, we
know better now.  The most common cause
 of death in children ages 3 to 14 is car accidents. Kids doubled-buckled can 
have severe abdominal injuries as well as spinal injuries.

I asked the driver to call me if she ever found herself with more kids then she
 had seatbelts for. I explained as nicely as possible that I had very strong
feelings on this subject and she said she completely understood. I reiterated
that I would be happy to make alternate arrangements for my daughter, as well
as any other kids that she couldn’t accommodate, and she promised she would
call if it ever came up again.

Today, my daughter came home and happened to mention that this driver had been
involved in an accident earlier in the day. She had not been at fault but her
car had been towed. When I asked my daughter whose car she’d been picked up in,
she said the driver’s husband’s car. I asked if there were enough seatbelts, and
she admitted that two kids had doubled up again. Why? It was a rainy day in
which the driver had seen firsthand that no matter how good a driver you are, accidents
happen. What about that scenario had suggested this was a good day to take a
risk?

This
woman is one of the nicest women I know. She’s clearly intelligent, and I’m
sure she would never wish any harm to any of the kids she drives.  For whatever the reason, though, she must
think she can beat the odds. The thing is, I can’t allow my child to be a
player in a game of chance. The potential outcome would be too devastating for
everyone.

What is obvious is that most people refuse to look at the potential repercussions of
a decision such as this. How horrible would it be to have to make the call to a
parent telling them that you injured their child because you thought it was
just a short ride? How would you explain it to the other kids in the car? What
remorse would you be left with if it was your child that was the victim? There
would be such an impact left on so many lives.

My daughter’s excuse for not calling me herself, was that it was cold and she
didn’t want to wait in the rain for another ride. Understandable, but annoying,
since I have been very clear about this for all twelve years of her life. This
brings up an equally disturbing problem. 
What is this teaching my child? She is at a critical age when it comes
to negotiating rules and peer pressure. When she sees adults disregarding not
only the rules I have set, but the laws we are all required to follow, it
undermines all that I have taught her.

I have no choice but to protect my child, so now I am going to have to risk
offending someone who I am sure is only trying to be helpful. If anything were
to happen to my child I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself. Therefore, I cannot
and will not tempt fate.