Dont be a turkey this Thanksgiving, buckle up
Highway travel during the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday week is expected to be heavy as families pile into their cars and head off for holiday destinations.
But there’s one sure recipe that can turn a joyful holiday into a tragedy: failure to buckle up.
“Seat belts are the single most important safety device in your vehicle and they have saved countless lives and prevented untold numbers of injuries over the years,” said Jackie Bonser, Local Buckle Up Montana Coordinator from the Pondera County Health Department.
She went on to add, “I urge everyone driving this holiday to drive carefully, don’t drive impaired and, most important, buckle up each and every trip, night or day.”
Nationally during the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2008 (which ran from 6 p.m. Nov. 26, to 5:59 a.m., Dec. 1), 389 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, including 156 during daylight hours (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) and 231 during nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.). Two fatalities were unknown regarding time.
Nighttime is the most dangerous time on the road because seat belt use is lower. Of the 231 passenger vehicle occupant deaths in motor vehicle traffic crashes at night during the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday period over two-thirds (67 percent) did not have their seat belts fastened; while 40 percent of fatalities in daytime crashes were not wearing seat belts.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.
Research has shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.
For more information about highway safety during Thanksgiving, please visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov
But there’s one sure recipe that can turn a joyful holiday into a tragedy: failure to buckle up.
“Seat belts are the single most important safety device in your vehicle and they have saved countless lives and prevented untold numbers of injuries over the years,” said Jackie Bonser, Local Buckle Up Montana Coordinator from the Pondera County Health Department.
She went on to add, “I urge everyone driving this holiday to drive carefully, don’t drive impaired and, most important, buckle up each and every trip, night or day.”
Nationally during the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2008 (which ran from 6 p.m. Nov. 26, to 5:59 a.m., Dec. 1), 389 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, including 156 during daylight hours (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) and 231 during nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.). Two fatalities were unknown regarding time.
Nighttime is the most dangerous time on the road because seat belt use is lower. Of the 231 passenger vehicle occupant deaths in motor vehicle traffic crashes at night during the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday period over two-thirds (67 percent) did not have their seat belts fastened; while 40 percent of fatalities in daytime crashes were not wearing seat belts.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.
Research has shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.
For more information about highway safety during Thanksgiving, please visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov
Wind energy seminar on tap
Landowners concerned with commercial wind lease agreements and people interested in small wind systems will have an opportunity to learn about wind energy on Dec. 7 in Great Falls and Dec. 8 in Cut Bank.
MSU Extension is providing two, one-day trainings on issues of wind energy, ranging from commercial wind development and land leasing issues to small wind system information for homeowners.
The Central Montana Wind Energy Update will begin in Great Falls at the MSU College of Technology, Heritage Hall at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 7.
The same session will begin at the Elk’s Club at 11:30 a.m. in Cut Bank on Dec. 8.
The first several hours of the update will provide landowners with a review of commercial wind energy activity in the state, an overview of legal issues to consider when leasing by James Hackstaff of Hackstaff, Gessler, LLC, a law firm from Denver, perspectives on leasing from a commercial wind developer, compass wind, an overview of landowner association models, and an update on transmission line developments in Montana.
The small wind session, which will begin at 6 p.m., will provide information to the general public on small wind systems, how to select a system, and financial assistance programs that can help to off-set expenses associated with system installation.
The same session will be offered in both Great Falls and Cut Bank. A free lunch will be served at both locations, but pre-registration for the meal is required by noon on Dec. 4.
Please contact MSU Extension Cascade County (406) 454-6980 or MSU Extension Glacier County (406) 873-2239 for further information.
MSU Extension is providing two, one-day trainings on issues of wind energy, ranging from commercial wind development and land leasing issues to small wind system information for homeowners.
The Central Montana Wind Energy Update will begin in Great Falls at the MSU College of Technology, Heritage Hall at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 7.
The same session will begin at the Elk’s Club at 11:30 a.m. in Cut Bank on Dec. 8.
The first several hours of the update will provide landowners with a review of commercial wind energy activity in the state, an overview of legal issues to consider when leasing by James Hackstaff of Hackstaff, Gessler, LLC, a law firm from Denver, perspectives on leasing from a commercial wind developer, compass wind, an overview of landowner association models, and an update on transmission line developments in Montana.
The small wind session, which will begin at 6 p.m., will provide information to the general public on small wind systems, how to select a system, and financial assistance programs that can help to off-set expenses associated with system installation.
The same session will be offered in both Great Falls and Cut Bank. A free lunch will be served at both locations, but pre-registration for the meal is required by noon on Dec. 4.
Please contact MSU Extension Cascade County (406) 454-6980 or MSU Extension Glacier County (406) 873-2239 for further information.
Town Pump fundraiser to ease record need
Striving to help feed Montana’s hungry when a record number are receiving food stamps, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation seeks to raise over $1.5 million this year during its eighth annual fundraiser for Montana food banks, including the Pondera Food Pantry in Conrad.
As part of the campaign, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation will match up to $300,000 in contributions to Montana food banks made now through Nov. 30. A record 52 food banks are participating this year.
The Foundation will match up to $2,000 on behalf of the Pondera Food Pantry, and all funds raised in Conrad will remain in the community.
The money is used to purchase perishable food items such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables.
However, the funds are becoming more crucial in helping many food bank organizations simply stay open through payment of rent, utilities, and space for storage, refrigeration and freezing.
“There’s a little more need this year,” said Elmer Philipps of the Pondera Food Pantry. “And our bills are higher.”
The “Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those In Need” campaign raised a record $1.45 million last year alone, and has raised about $4.9 million for food banks statewide in the campaign’s seven years.
“Each year we have seen a growing number of Montanans struggling to make ends meet,” said Maureen Kenneally, of the Town Pump Foundation.
She went on to add, “While other charitable efforts have declined, we have seen an increase in support for our Montana food banks, proving that together we make a difference.”
Donations for the campaign are being collected at the Conrad Town Pump, Lucky Lil’s and Super 8 Motel. Donations also can be sent directly to Pondera Food Pantry, Route 1 Box 65, 59425 in Conrad.
As part of the campaign, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation will match up to $300,000 in contributions to Montana food banks made now through Nov. 30. A record 52 food banks are participating this year.
The Foundation will match up to $2,000 on behalf of the Pondera Food Pantry, and all funds raised in Conrad will remain in the community.
The money is used to purchase perishable food items such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables.
However, the funds are becoming more crucial in helping many food bank organizations simply stay open through payment of rent, utilities, and space for storage, refrigeration and freezing.
“There’s a little more need this year,” said Elmer Philipps of the Pondera Food Pantry. “And our bills are higher.”
The “Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those In Need” campaign raised a record $1.45 million last year alone, and has raised about $4.9 million for food banks statewide in the campaign’s seven years.
“Each year we have seen a growing number of Montanans struggling to make ends meet,” said Maureen Kenneally, of the Town Pump Foundation.
She went on to add, “While other charitable efforts have declined, we have seen an increase in support for our Montana food banks, proving that together we make a difference.”
Donations for the campaign are being collected at the Conrad Town Pump, Lucky Lil’s and Super 8 Motel. Donations also can be sent directly to Pondera Food Pantry, Route 1 Box 65, 59425 in Conrad.