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Master Trooper Doug Wiersma, Colorado State Patrol, demonstrates the crash simulator at a previous event.
Master Trooper Doug Wiersma, Colorado State Patrol, demonstrates the crash simulator at a previous event.
Master Trooper Doug Wiersma, Colorado State Patrol, demonstrates the crash simulator at a previous event.
Photo Credit: SWRETAC
Photo Credit: SWRETAC
Photo Credit: SWRETAC
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Drive Safe Coalition to host demonstration at Durango Home and Ranch Show

Friday - April 23, 2021 by Staff report | The Southern Ute Drum

The Drive Safe Coalition will host a booth at the upcoming Durango Home and Ranch Show this coming weekend, on Saturday April 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The coalition’s booth will feature driver safety demonstrations. 

A crash simulator will show drivers how seat belts can save lives. A dummy, named Bob, is placed in a car-like simulator (with or without a seatbelt) and demonstrates how buckling up can help save lives in a rollover accident. 

“The rollover-crash simulator is an actual pickup truck cab mounted to a custom trailer,” explained Master Trooper Doug Wiesrma. “The truck cab, with the assistance of an attached electric motor, rolls sideways on an axis. This simulates a rollover crash and presents a very visual portrayal of what happens to a vehicle occupant. The demonstration offers two scenarios; one with ‘Dummy Bob’ properly seatbelted into the driver’s seat, and one without the seatbelt. The differences in each scenario are dramatic as they demonstrate the importance of proper restraint and how seatbelts are almost always the dividing line between life and death in serious crashes.”  

Also at the booth, coalition committee members will be on hand to demonstrate the proper use of seat belts to secure a child car seat or booster seat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car seats and booster seats reduce the risk for injury in a crash, compared with seatbelt use alone. Buckling children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts reduces the risk of serious and fatal injuries: 

  • Car seat use reduces the risk for death to infants (aged <1 year) by 71% and to toddlers (aged 1–4 years) by 54%. 
  • Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for young children (aged 4–8) years when compared with seat belt use alone. 
  • For older children and adults, seat belt use reduces the risk for death and serious injury by approximately half. 

More about Drive Safe Coalition and SWRETAC 

The Drive Safe Coalition is a program of the Southwest Regional Emergency and Trauma Advisory Council (SWRETAC). The coalition’s mission is to promote driver and passenger safety in southwest Colorado, with a vision to educate drivers and their passengers about safe driving practices. Visit the Drive Safe Coalition webpage: swretac.com/prevention/. 

SWRETAC’s mission is to maintain, improve and expand Emergency Medical and Trauma Services (EMTS) in Southwest Colorado. SWRETAC’s vision is to develop a collaborative, comprehensive and efficient EMTS for the region that will seek to reduce preventable mortality and morbidity by engaging regional stakeholders. Visit SWRETAC’s website: swretac.com/. 

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