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FEBRUARY 24, 2013

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MAKING IT CLICK
Nearly a quarter of motorists on rural Va. roads put their lives on the line and dont buckle up
By Jeff Sturgeon jeff.sturgeon@roanoke.com | 381-1661

Since 2007, 1,677 Va. motorists not wearing seat belts have died. Simply buckling up could have saved at least 600 of them.

Transit plan gets OK from assembly

The package, which now goes to Gov. Bob McDonnell, will pump $3.5 billion into transportation.
By Michael Sluss mike.sluss@roanoke.com 981-3373

Traffic crashes kill motorists and passengers every year in almost every corner of Virginia. But rural Virginia is notably high for one type of traffic death thats among the most preventable: the unbelted fatality. From the coalfields to rural Roanoke, from Southside to Alleghany County, traffic crashes have lethally hurled unbelted travelers FIRST OF through windshields, THREE PARTS windows and sunroofs and against the Monday: Va. is one insides of rolling and of 18 states without tumbling vehicles at a primary seat belt the highest rates of law; Christiansburg the state. makes belts a cause Experts say many of those deaths could Tuesday: Despite have been prevented. safety education, Of the 1,677 people young still dying who died unbuckled Online: Visit in Virginia during the roanoke.com five years that ended to leave your June 30, at least 600 comments, watch of them, maybe 700, video and answer would have survived if they had been belted, our poll: Do you given the effectiveness buckle up? of seat belts found in vehicles today. The figures are from a Roanoke Times analysis of data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Seat belt use is generally widespread. But according to statistics gathered in annual statewide belt-use surveys, nearly a quarter of people traveling in the largely rural chunk of Virginia west and north of Richmond do not buckle up, leaving them especially vulnerable in crashes. Three people died unbelted in the Roanoke area since Jan. 1 alone, including a Willis woman on Feb. 17, after at least 11 such deaths in late 2012.
See CLICK, 7

UNBELTED TRAFFIC FATALITIES IN THE REGION

Data for the Roanoke and New River valleys, 2011-12:

RICHMOND After weeks of starts, stops and near crashes, a bipartisan coalition of state legislators has delivered a longawaited transportation funding package to Gov. Bob McDonnell. After some last-minute drama that threatened to derail the deal, the Virginia Senate on Saturday passed a compromise plan that will pump $3.5 billion into roads, rail and transit over the next five years. The Senates 25-15 vote came one day after the House of MORE Delegates passed the bill INSIDE with a bipartisan majority. Compromise, This is a historic day in conflict mark Virginia, McDonnell said General in a written statement Sat- Assembly urday after the Senate vote. sessions We have worked together end. Page 6 across party lines to find common ground and pass the first sustainable long-term transportation funding plan in 27 years. There is a Virginia Way of cooperation and problem solving, and we saw it work again today in Richmond. The transportation deal may stand as the signature legislative achievement of McDonnells four-year term, which ends in January. The governor made the issue a top priority in this legislative session, and pushed for a compromise even after his own plan was overhauled and members of
See LEGISLATURE, 6

31*

Number of unbelted traffic fatalities

21%

Percentage of crashes between 6 and 9 p.m.

31%

are 21 to 35 years old, the most common age group

32 %

of cases involve alcohol

*Excludes pedestrians and fatalities in vehicles not equipped with restraints such as motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles and buses.
Source: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

BREAKING THE HABIT

Alex Havens, 44, of Boones Mill says he often ignored his pickup trucks seat belt warning signal. But he changed his habits after his brother Ernie, who wasnt wearing a seat belt, was killed in a 2012 crash.
KYLE GREEN | The Roanoke Times

Goodlatte seeks middle ground on immigration

If he pushes for a comprehensive bill, the political risks are high, advocates across the spectrum say.
By David Ress david.ress@roanoke.com 981-3253

Unheeded warnings, shattered dreams

One man never wore his seat belt. A teen who usually did forgot to buckle up with a friend. Both died on area roads.
By Zach Crizer zach.crizer@roanoke.com | 981-3234

FULLY EJECTED
Nearly one-third of people riding unrestrained in a passenger vehicle involved in a fatal crash are fully ejected from the vehicle.

78%
NATION & WORLD

of passenger vehicle occupants fully ejected who suffer fatal injuries.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, based on 2010 traffic fatality data.

When his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro roars to life, Alex Havens is reminded of his brothers handiwork. Early in the process of restoring the muscle car, Ernest Ernie Havens often worked alongside him. He pulled the motor out of the Camaro, Alex said, and rebuilt it

right on the motor stand. The lights in Alexs Boones Mill garage make clear reflections on the hood, which is painted a deep red with white racing stripes. The restoration is almost done, but Alex has one change left to make. Its not one that returns the car to its past glory. Its a change born not of nostalgia, but of personal tragedy. Alex is replacing the outdated lap belts in the front seats with fivepoint buckle seat belts, because he cant ignore the fact that his Camaro wouldnt be running without Ernies help or that Ernie might still be
See SHATTERED, 8

Rep. Bob Goodlatte may not think that President Barack Obama can sell the country on a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants but the Roanoke County Republican thinks he might be able to find a consensus on letting at least some have the right to stay here. As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Goodlattes the man who would write any House bill. But though hell be Rep. Bob in the middle of what Goodlatte Im not is already some highly prejudging charged politicking, Good- anything. latte said he hopes to lead Congress slowly and carefully through the complexities of immigration law a kind of law he practiced in Roanoke before his election to the House. He already has held a first briefing of fellow members of Congress, and plans more, as well as holding
See GOODLATTE, 6

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EXTRA

PAGE 1

U.S.-Mexico border is harder to breach than ever, but is it secure enough?

Old-school barbershop in downtown Roanoke caters to todays man

6

Bridge - Classified Homes 6 | Crossword - Extra 4 | Lottery - Virginia 1 | Obituaries - Virginia 4 | TV Listings - Extra 2

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