• A mother’s seat belt warning A mother’s seat belt warning By Cindy Bladerson As the mother of one of the Waimea High School Class of 2004 who did not make it to graduation, I would like to comment on
• A mother’s seat belt warning
A mother’s seat belt warning
By Cindy Bladerson
As the mother of one of the Waimea High School Class of 2004 who did not make it to graduation, I would like to comment on the article in the Garden Island on Friday, June 18.
First, I want to clarify that our son, Joseph Legradi, was found to have been wearing his seatbelt when he slammed into a telephone pole on Halewili road on his way to school on November 20th, 2003. I wholeheartedly agree with the position of the KPD when they say that wearing seatbelts CAN save lives. But when speeding is involved, it usually doesn’t. When speeding is involved, the seatbelt assures that police and emergency crews won’t have far to search for the body. It will most likely be right there in the driver’s seat, and not 300 feet from the vehicle.
Second, here’s a little education on insurance for parents. We did not carry life insurance on our son since he was healthy and happy and as parents, we always think it will not happen to us.
Yes our employers paid a small death benefit, but I’m talking about insurance on your teen.
If you as parents do not have insurance on your teenage driver, check your automobile policy. Odds are it contains two clauses: one that states no benefit will be payable if speeding is involved, and another that provides payment of a “seatbelt benefit” if the seatbelt was worn. Because of the seatbelt clause, we did eventually receive enough money to take care of Joe’s burial, but only after the final autopsy report verified that he was in fact wearing a seatbelt and that information was received by the insurance company.
This takes two to three months. If we had not had the seatbelt benefit, or if Joe had not been wearing his seatbelt, we would have paid for everything out of pocket.
Finally, to all licensed drivers, regardless of age on Kauai, let me say that nothing, absolutely nothing can prepare you for a visit from Lt. Yagihara to let you know you have lost a loved one.
When you hear a commercial on the radio that sounds a little corny, followed by his voice, you may smirk at the commercial, but listen to the message, it may save your life or the life of someone you love.
Cindy Balderson is a resident of Kalaheo
