By Elizabeth M. Whelan, Sc.D., M.P.H.
Posted: Monday, July 2, 2007

LETTER
Publication Date: July 2, 2007

This letter originally appeared in the July 2, 2007 Wall Street Journal:

As David Gibson points out, the Vatican's safe driving commandments purport to tell us how to keep drivers and passengers safe on the road ("Highway to Heaven," Houses of Worship: Taste page, Weekend Journal, June 22). The document cites World Health Organization estimates that 1.2 million people are killed in auto accidents each year and as many as 50 million are injured.

Some of the Vatican advice is common sense: stay awake at the wheel, don't drink and drive. But there is one horrific omission on the Vatican's auto safety list: the use of seatbelts. Issuing guidelines on how to prevent injury and death on the road without mentioning seatbelts is like offering advice on how to prevent lung cancer and not mentioning avoidance of cigarette smoking.

Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan
President
American Council on Science and Health
New York

 

See also: ACSH's Health and Safety Tips for Your Summer Vacation.

Related Links
10 Commandments for Driver Safety (HowStuffWorks.com)