Saturday, April 14, 2007
Jon Corzine's missing seatbelt
Much as I like Jon Corzine and wish him a speedy recover, it boggles my mind that he wasn't wearing a seatbelt while tooling down the Garden State Parkway. If I didn't absolutely hate it when people cite "the children" as the reason for some paternalistic intervention, I'd complain that the Governor was setting a terrible example for "the children."
New Jersey is one of a minority of states that has made a very big deal over seatbelts. It was the second state (after New York) to pass a mandatory seatbelt law in the 1980s. The original law did not authorize the police to make stops solely because the driver was not wearing a seatbelt, but in 2000 the law was amended to permit the police to pull drivers over for that reason alone. The result is that fully 90 percent of New Jersey drivers and front-seat passengers wear seatbelts. Until now, I admit that I sort of assumed that the other 10 percent were profoundly irresponsible people who probably also play with lawn darts, keep their guns loaded, smoke cigarettes, and let their children grow up to be cowboys.
There is also a little tale about New Jersey's culture of back-scratchery inside the larger story. If a state trooper can pull me over and fine me simply for not wearing a seatbelt, why didn't the trooper who drives for Governor Corzine issue him a ticket? Or at least tell him to wear his frackin' seatbelt?
7 Comments:
By 
Purple Avenger, at
Sat Apr 14, 08:04:00 AM:
Politicians (and cops) are exempt from following laws. Everyone knows that. His driver had to be tailgating for him to have those kind of injuries.
I don't have much sympathy for idiots who don't avail themselves of the technology available. Some lessons in life are hard and hurt a lot when you're stupid.
By 
, at
Sat Apr 14, 10:40:00 AM:
"why didn't the trooper who drives for Governor Corzine issue him a ticket? Or at least tell him to wear his frackin' seatbelt?"
probubbly for the same reason no one has arrested nancy under the Logan Act, Harry Reid has never been accosted for his land deals, and Barney Frank for his misuse of congressional office space and prestige to run a male escort service, Al gore for playing footsies with the Chinese, Sandy Burger etc. the 'ol perfessor
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By Miss Ladybug, at
Sat Apr 14, 04:33:00 PM:
PA~
That was a bit harsh. From what I heard, the truck that caused the accident swerved in front of the Governor's SUV to avoid hitting a third vehicle. If that is what really happened, then the trooper/driver couldn't have been tailgating. And, the trooper and other passenger in the vehicle weren't seriously injured - they were both wearing their seatbelts.
By Miss Ladybug, at
Sat Apr 14, 07:25:00 PM:
Just read an article on this. "...the driver blamed for the wreck that critically injured the governor had been found but would not be charged." "Corzine was hurt Thursday when the SUV he was riding in was clipped by a vehicle that swerved to avoid a red pickup truck that officials said was being driven erratically." It also states "...the driver, 20, who worked at an Atlantic City casino, didn't realize he had caused the crash and thought he actually avoided an accident."
By , at
Sat Apr 14, 11:13:00 PM:
They can take my lawn darts when they pry them from my cold, dead sternum!
By , at
Sun Apr 15, 12:33:00 AM:
I kind of remmeber when BARBRA MANDRELL was in the car accedent SHE WAS WEARING SEATBELTS
By , at
Wed Apr 18, 02:54:00 AM:
i am not a fan of Gov. Corzine.
i wish him well also...
however, rushing at 91 mph to meet IMUS for some cheap personal political gain is absurd.
so was his promise to not raise taxation, and breaking it.
the Man entered Office with an irresponsible budget, and only increased spending and taxation on the NJ public.
it is not healthy or sound.
associates describe Gov. Corzine as a nice Man with a misguided liberal bend.
we all hope he recovers his health, but one can hope he grows a more responsible, intelligent mindset.
