More seat belt discussion
From the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration:
* In 2002, 42,850 people died in traffic accidents. Of that number, 19,103 were not wearing seat belts.
* 4,200 lives could be saved each year if 90% of the U.S. population wore seat belts.
* Fatalities and accidents involving those not wearing seat belts costs the U.S. approximately $20 billion per year. Of that cost, 74% of the tab is paid for by the public.
* One out of four Americans still doesn't wear a seat belt.
So. To the 25% of you out there not wearing seat belts. If you're involved in an accident, and need medical care that costs more than your insurance company is willing to pay (or you aren't insured at all), the American taxpayer is picking up THREE-QUARTERS of the tab.
If those of you not wearing seat belts would like to sign a waiver giving up your right for taxpayer-funded medical care in the case of an accident, then by all means do so. I wouldn't care if you wore your seat belt then -- I wouldn't have any reason to care.
Otherwise, if my taxes are going to be used to keep your splattered brain alive in a Hospice somewhere, I continue to believe in seat belt laws and fines, and I hope you all get pulled over frequently.
Do police departments use seat belt tickets as a source of revenue? Sure. Just like they use speeding tickets for the same. But getting people to wear their seat belts is still a matter for the public good.
I've Created A Monster...
Ok, enough about seatbelts except for one clarification. I wasn't out mongering whenever I received my seat belt citations. I was going home once, and going to my girlfriend's house the other time, and both times I was far from mongering locales.
Anyway, the whole point was to support Clark's insinuation that LEO in Alabama will pull you over for just about anything.
Back to the real business. On my way home today, I spotted a BSW dragging by the Anchor. Other than that, nada.
As for the Super Sauna update, it has been about a year and a half since I visited, and the service was ok then. I happen to think that the reason you were given a break at the door is because of lack of business. I haven't seen any cars at SS in the past few weeks as I've driven by. Maybe Time is dominating the market?
Your Daily 5th Ave / Finley Ave Update
Busted across Finley in the early AM hours and again in the PM. However, not much to report. I did see a white girl strolling along the first road to the south of Finley getting ready to cross 16th St, a couple of days ago. Couldn't figure out if she was going to the gas station, or out workin' it.
Nada again today along 5th in the 4 o'clock hour. However, after I hooked the right to continue north on Hwy 11 (I think you're in Centerpoint when you make that turn), I saw a lady standing out in front of the Chevron next to the road with a suitcase. She looked sort of ragged, so I'm not sure what the deal was, several large gentlemen were hanging out in the vicinity. Didn't stop to investigate.
Anyone know of any activity (past, present, or potential future) in the area sort of west northwest of HWY 11 between Trussville & Centerpoint? Near the Edwards Lake Road area? It's rumored that there is a lot of gang activity back in that area, any SW potential there? What about in the Five Points area? It seems like the girls would start moving away from 1st, and Five Points seems like a relatively close location to switch to.