Learning From Governor Corzine

The Governor of New Jersey is lucky to be alive right now. He had multiple broken bones including two particularly bad femur fractures that necessitated surgery. His lungs were affected as well and he needed a breathing tube. This is not fun to go through at all. His rehab will last months and this will probably affect him for the rest of his life. Almost all of it could have been reversed had he worn his seatbelt.

In New Jersey the ticket for not wearing one is a total of $46. In California I believe it is over $250. The state trooper sitting next to him in the front seat was probably wearing his and remained relatively unscathed. Seatbelts are serious business and for some reason many of us just shrug them off. I certainly did when I was younger.

Then one day a family friend of ours was driving his car and got into an accident. Due to the fact he wasn't wearing the belt, he was ejected out of his sunroof when the car lost control and suffered severe injuries. Like Jon Corzine he is lucky to be alive, but his life has been completely altered. This vibrant family man was rushed into many surgeries, nearly dying several times. Now years later he is still in rehab and only allowed out for special occassions if he is feeling up to it. Thankfully his family has stayed strong for him and so have his friends.

After learning about what happened to him I never forgot my seatbelt again. I hope for those of you out there that drive you buckle up, and not have to go through an ordeal or see a loved one go through something like Jon Corzine or my friend.