This week is "Traffic Safety Week" and I put on my little banner and went out to direct traffic again for an hour. Our little neighborhood section also acquired a "traffic tent", for what purpose I'm not sure, maybe to make us more visible to the passing cars, so we had to take a picture to prove that we were really making good use of the tent. I'm not in this picture (I'm the one photographing) but I figure since the traffic group took a lot of pictures for their pamphlets and reports, then it is ok to post this picture on my blog without asking their permission. (Do any of you have opinions about what pictures need to have permission to be posted?) Notice the matching jackets we all have. The pink ones are for the official women's group (I was given a yellow one. I'm not an official woman!?) and the backs of theirs says "We are committed to not driving while drinking!"
Then yesterday when at the grocery store in the city, I came across a "Traffic Safety" group giving a demonstration on how important it is to wear seat belts. They were flagging down people going in to the store and asking for volunteers to try out their seat belt-crash machine. Yes, that is me in their machine (it is not a roller coaster at an amusement park) and yes, I had my camera with me and asked them to take my picture. I'm not the least shy about volunteering for these things so I jumped right in, got in the front seat and waited until they could get someone else to join me. 
They could only round up one other lady ("Oh no, not with the foreigner!") I just let out the brake, the machine crawled a few inches down a ramp and made an abrupt stop. Automatic airbags blew up in my face and everyone gave us a round of applause (quite a gallery of people watching by this time). Supposedly the machine was demonstrating the impact of a car that crashes when going at 5 kilos an hour. Ah well, it was an experience. For our enthusiastic participation, the other lady and I were given pamphlets, reflectors, chewing gum, wet tissues and a "WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT" sticker.Drive carefully everyone!
4 comments:
I think it is sad that people need reminders to drive safely, wear their seatbelts, not drink and drive, etc. But they do, and you did a good service.
Tanya - if I were you I don't think I'd get over not being an 'official woman' -sob!
Anne (very tongue in cheek!)
seatbelts are mandatory here, and most people are pretty good at wearing them. Never thought of the importance of demonstrating their use...
Good for you! And I do remember to wear my seatbelt -- I have a little back seat driver who throws a fit if I forget! (which is a good thing :0) )
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