Winter is approaching bringing with it ice, sleet and freezing rain that will impact driving in our county. Unfortunately, the key word is impact. Despite the best efforts of the county’s road crews, accidents will happen. I fear this will be particularly unique this season on the bobsled run-like road debacle that will eventually become roundabouts for the exits and entrances of exit 105.

Even in good weather, it takes keen eye to maneuver around the traffic cones and barrels that designate the road surface. Coming down the curving road towards the Thompson Square Mall, you must swivel your head like an owl to see if any vehicle is coming off the exit ramp from route 17. 

So here is a bit of advice to help you stay safe. Buckle Up. Every driver and passenger will be better prepared if they use a seat belt. I am hopeful that once the construction of the roundabouts is completed, our residents will learn how to safely use them. For our summer guests, it will be mind numbing for a while. I envision them driving around endlessly in circles like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s European Vacation. “Look kids, there’s Walmart!”

As I sat in traffic waiting for the flagman to allow my wagon train of cars to take their turn on the one open lane, I was amazed at the amount and size of the boulders that had to be removed. The way things often happen around here, I hoped that one of those monster trucks and earth movers would not uncover the fossilized lower jaw of a T Rex. If that happened, the whole project would be put on hold. But so far no dinosaur bones, so it is a go.

Seat belts save lives. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention did a study that showed that using seat belts reduced front seat passenger fatalities by 55%. The study also showed that major injuries were reduced by 60%. 

Like many items that we take for granted, seat belts have a long history. When pioneers packed their family into a covered wagon to claim a piece of the unsettled west, many secured their children to the buckboard with rope. The bumpy trail made securing items in the covered wagon a priority and that included Little Nell and Ned Jr.

The first use of a seat belt had nothing to do with land travel. An Englishman named George Cayley in the 1800’s invented a belt that was used to keep pilots attached to glider planes. You might want to mention that to your flight attendant the next time you fly. They might use that nugget to entertain the passengers during their safety speech prior to take off and reward you with another bag of peanuts.

The first patented seat belt was awarded to an American, Edward Claghorn, in 1885. He invented the device to keep tourists safe while in New York City cabs. Of course, those cabs were horse powered, since gas propelled cars did not come along until years later. They were known as hansom cabs and were a stylish rendition of carriage transports.

When automobiles hit the road, many inventors helped to develop and enhance the seat belt. What at first was a simple strap round the waist soon evolved into the three-point seat belt still in use today.

The Nash Company installed them in 40,000 of their cars in 1949. But most consumers hated the confinement and asked for them to be removed. Other car companies like Ford and Saab also offered seat belts with mixed acceptance by buyers. Drivers found them too difficult to use.

All that changed in 1959 when a Swedish engineer at Volvo, Nils Bohlin, invented the three-point seat belt that is still used today. In a display of largesse, Volvo offered the invention at no cost to other car manufacturers. The company issued a statement that said, “It has more value as a life saving tool than something to profit from.”

So, the next time you have to navigate through the construction and eventual roundabouts, surrounded by many confused and irate drivers, buckle up for safety and say, “Tack Volvo och ar McDonald’s fortfarande oppet.” As you inch your way on route 42 it will be nice to thank Volvo for their generosity and yes, McDonald’s is still open.

Hudson Cooper is a resident of Sullivan County, a writer, comedian and actor.