Kenzie's Korner - High profile car crash deaths unnecessary

Kenzie says two recent car crash fatalities could have been avoided, with some common sense.

Motoring 2014, Episode 12

***

A viewer wrote an email to Jim, and their back-and-forth is worth posting.

Subject: Re: Motoring 2013 Episode

Hi Jim,

My name is [redacted], and I've watched Motoring for many years. Last month you touched on 2 recent high profile collisions and the impact they have had, and are still having. I just wanted to say that as a Police Officer in [redacted], Ontario I thank you and respect you for saying what you did about our need to wear seatbelts.

I think you were spot on when you said the most dangerous thing we do every day is drive, just like anyone else. The lost seconds we rarely have to spend untangling ourselves aren't worth the risks of not wearing a seatbelt.

Once again, I appreciate the way you broached the subject and your honest opinion on the matter. Keep up the great work!

Respectfully,

[redacted]

From: Jim Kenzie
Subject: Re: Motoring 2013 Episode

Hi [redacted]:

Thank you so much for this e-mail. Some police officers seem to think I have it in for them because of my stance on things like radar fishing holes! But like everyone else in our society, I rely on the police to help keep us safe. You may have seen the piece I did a year or so ago about a Milton officer who went all CSI to get my wallet and passport returned after I had stupidly left them on the roof of my car while re-fuelling. By the time I noticed they were missing - well, they could have been anywhere. He looked at the service station surveillance video, saw the trucker who picked them up, and made sure they were returned intact.

So, we need you people to stay safe!!

I first learned of the importance of police driver training when I took an advanced driver course at General Motors' proving grounds in Michigan many years ago. The man who developed all the exercises we still teach today had run them for police departments all over the States, and the results were dramatic. Officers who had been trained had fewer crashes, and those they did have were much less severe - if you ARE gonna crash, at least pick the smallest tree!

You probably took training at Aylmer at some point? The chief instructor there for many years was an old racing buddy of mine, Don McKnight - now retired. He used to always point out that the laws of physics are not suspended just because you are wearing a badge.

And because police are frequently involved in high-risk driving situations, it is even more critical that you take all possible precautions. Like we do when we race or rally.

Nobody deserves to die in a car crash, but YOU guys - hey; I got a lot of my tax dollars invested in your training and your cruiser!!

BTW, my third daughter lives in [redacted] and goes to University there. If you pull her over for anything - THROW THE BOOK AT HER!

Hahahahaha…

Cheers, thanks for watching, and thanks again too for your e-mail.

Jim Kenzie