Empty Shoes Report

The Empty Shoes Events were held statewide during the week of January 22, 2007 in an effort to bring visibility to the need to get all Idahoans to buckle up. Many of the speakers made it evident that Idaho deserves an effective seat belt law, and that we can?t sustain our current 80% seat belt use rate due to Idaho?s inability to qualify for funding to sustain our seat belt education and enforcement programs.

Es/drake assisted in the coordination by promoting the events to the media, preparing press packets, pre-event press releases, contact sheets, and post-event press releases, developing the color 40 inch by 60 inch poster identifying the number of unbelted fatalities by district and the associated economic costs, and assisted the local coordinators in addressing the event details. Posters were left in each district for their local use. Meanwhile, I was selecting the event coordinators, and gathering and organizing the shoes.

The 126 pairs of shoes included 87 pairs representing the 87 unbelted males killed in 2005. The remaining 39 pairs of shoes represented females, with the youngest unbelted child being 9 years of age. The shoes were donated from friends, ITD District 3, co-workers, es/drake, and others. We ended up with an additional 77 pairs of shoes, and even more scattered throughout the districts. The State of Nevada heard about what we were doing so they jumped on board and will be conducting the same events in their efforts to get a primary seat belt law for Nevada. They needed 139 pairs of shoes but wanted two sets for two sets of media events.

These events were coordinated starting in Coeur d?Alene on Monday and finishing up in Pocatello on Friday. Please see the buckleupidaho.org website and check the gallery for the Empty Shoes Events pictures.

Following is a summary of the events held in each location.

District 1 - Coeur d?Alene Empty Shoes Event

Our first event was held on Monday, January 22, at the Idaho Transportation Department at 10:30 am with a fresh 8 inches of snow that arrived the weekend before. The drive up presented a few challenges but I was pleased to have not seen a single crash despite some treacherous places along the way. My vehicle was very full with the 126 pairs of shoes and educational materials which were dropped off at each event.

On Sunday night, Captain Wayne Longo, Idaho State Police, and his team helped unload the vehicle and set up the shoes. They were displayed on a table one whole side of the room, in front of the table for the speakers, and in front of the poster which reflected the number of unbelted people killed in 2005 by district.

The room was filled the next morning. I counted 33 people but couldn?t see more that couldn?t make it into the room. All nearby law enforcement agencies were represented not only with officers, but also with leadership.

All of the media providers were represented and we received excellent coverage from two newspapers, three television stations, and two radio stations. Officer Nick Knoll, Coeur d?Alene Police, provided a PowerPoint presentation illustrating the national and Idaho perspective of the seat belt issue and what it costs our society. I then presented some perspective on Idaho?s seat belt history and what we might expect due to the loss of funding to sustain our efforts to increase seat belt use. Roger Evans, Emergency Room Director, Kootenai Medical Center, shared his thoughts on how seat belts and lack of belt use impacts the patients that end up in the emergency room in Coeur d?Alene.

Then Sally Mitchell shared the story of her daughter, Holly, who lost her life at the age of 14, in 2002. Our victim stories were incredibly meaningful and I will share them in detail. Sally provided buttons featuring her daughter?s picture along with a page telling her story and featuring some Idaho traffic crash statistics. The Bonner County Sheriff?s Office was there in force to support her as well. Here?s her story:

?I?m Holly Peterson. I just turned 14, waiting to be a freshman at Sandpoint High School in September. It is a hot summer day in August of 2002. I love to play basketball, hang out with my friends, and show my 4-H lamb at the county fair. It?s summer and I feel invincible. Today I was hanging out at home with my sister and a friend. I talked them into going over to a boy?s house to watch movies. He had his license and offered to pick us up and bring us home. We aren?t allowed to drive the car or leave the house, but we figured we?d be home before Mom and Dad got home from work, and would still have time to finish our chores. We jumped into his car - no seat belts (it?s not that far, mostly gravel roads and the speed limit is 35). The road was a little bumpy and wash boarded from the dry summer. The music was pumping, the sun beaming through the open sunroof. What a glorious day to be a teenager! Life is so good. I heard my sister say, ?Slow down!? ?Holly, put on your seat belt!? We turned a corner about a mile from home. The top-heavy SUV slid out of control and rolled into its top. I was thrown out of that sunroof, splitting my head open. Now my sister is holding me in her arms. I am bleeding from my head. I have one more moment to share with my sister ? then my last breath. Wait! This must be a mistake ? I just turned 14! Click It, Don?t Risk It!?

Sally went on to say that she works at the Bonner County Sheriff?s Office. When the dispatch call came in, she heard it and knew it was only a mile from her home. She called her kids. And there was no answer. She said that she sat there in a panic. Then she looked around and saw that her co-workers were no longer at their desks. They were all gone. Then, her boss came to her, and told her that Holly was dead and Katie, her sister, was at the hospital. When Sally told Katie that Holly was dead, Katie let out a scream that Sally will never forget.

The words written here do not reflect the pain that Sally shared with us, the pain shared by 126 families in 2005. Sally has been doing similar presentations in schools in Bonner County. She is saving lives.

Co-Chair Ben Wolfinger then presented the seat belt issue from the law enforcement perspective and stressed how a primary seat belt law might prevent future needless tragedies. Captain Wayne Longo wrapped up the event followed by media interviews.

The able crew from the Idaho State Police along with Sgt Ted Piche?, Lewiston Police Department, loaded up my vehicle and I was off to Lewiston for the Tuesday event.

District 2 - Lewiston Empty Shoes Event

Sgt. Ted Piche?, Lewiston Police Department, had a great plan for their event which was held on Tuesday, January 23, at the Fish and Game Building. We set up the night before and had shoes lining the pathway to the meeting room. Then the shoes were lined up on one side of the room with the 11 pair reflecting District 2?s unbelted fatalities situated up front with the poster. It was a great setup that made the visual image of the shoes very meaningful. In addition, a speed trailer was set up along the way to the building and several Click It, Don?t Risk It! road signs were displayed as well. Their Lewiston Police Department motorcycle was also on display outside the building.

Sgt. Piche? also went the extra mile, along with the help of Officer Rob Massey, to have Idaho Seat Belt Coalition sign-up forms that were circulated during the event. They were also worded to voice support seeking a primary seat belt law. And sample letters to legislators were available in the back of the room.

There were at least 35 people in attendance with all law enforcement agencies represented. The media was also there and KLEW did an outstanding story on the event. Sgt. Piche? ran the event. I shared the history of Idaho?s seat belt program and loss of funding issues. Then former Senator Bruce Sweeney, currently an Idaho Transportation Department Board Member, shared his perspective on Idaho?s seat belt law and how to get past some of the roadblocks to making it law. He also shared strong support from the ITD Board.

Then Captain Roger Lanier, Lewiston Police Department, shared the story behind why he was using crutches to attend the event. He was saved by his seat belt a month or so earlier when he lost control of his patrol vehicle and it fell down a 250 foot embankment. He described the event in detail including how the car leaned up against a fence before falling. He was just starting to take his seat belt off so he could get out. Then the fence gave way and the car slowly started rolling over, and over, and over again. The door came open and his foot flew out. He couldn?t get his foot back inside and his leg got crushed by the car. He came out with broken ribs, a concussion, and a badly broken leg. He was luckily able to call for help on his cell phone from the bottom of the ravine.

Captain Lanier said that he was so thankful that he had his seat belt on and that it spared his family from a horrible tragedy. Just a few weeks earlier, two men had a very similar crash in which they were not belted. They were both ejected and killed. They left behind a total of five children to grow up without fathers. Captain Lainer was so thankful that this didn?t happen to his three children.

Battalion Chief Travis Myklebust, Lewiston Fire Department, then shared his perspective and how often he goes to traffic crashes in which people could have lived, or not been so seriously injured, had they only stayed in their vehicles.

Chief Leslie Hendricks, Nez Perce Tribal Council, shared her efforts to seek a primary seat belt law for the Nez Perce Tribe. This is in the process. She said that attending our last Highway Safety Summit in Boise was what led her to seek a primary law for her tribe. We hope she is successful.

Sgt. Piche? then wrapped up the event with a powerful closing. He made a strong plea for getting people involved and getting an effective seat belt law for Idaho.

With lots of help, we loaded up the shoes, had a nice lunch with officers from the various law enforcement agencies, and I headed toward Boise for Day 3 of the Empty Shoes Events.

District 3 ? Boise Empty Shoes Event

This event was held on the Statehouse Steps on Wednesday, January 24th, and the weather was good, thank goodness. Set up was made easy with the help of the Nampa Teen Council, Lance Johnson (FHWA), and the Office of Highway Safety. All legislators received invitations from Dave Carlson, AAA/Idaho, but just two showed up, while some watched from inside.

There was a large crowd of about 60 people, but I wasn?t able to determine the number in attendance. Most notable was the arrival of the 21 local law enforcement motor officers representing all the agencies in the area. This was coordinated by Sgt. Rich Fuhriman, Boise Police. Their arrival in formation was awesome. After the event, they went out on a directed patrol. Oregon?s Malheur County Traffic Safety Commission was represented by Coordinator Dave Stiefvater and Oregon State Trooper Scott Skinner. Joanne Taylor?s public relations class attended as well. And MADD had four people attending.

Co-Chair Dave Carlson kicked off the event and described the representation by the 126 pairs of shoes. Then Co-Chair Ben Wolfinger shared the law enforcement perspective and need for an effective law. Sherry Iverson, St. Luke?s Regional Medical Center, shared the societal cost and family loss perspective. Then I provided my usual presentation.

Craig Lough shared his story about how he was saved by his seat belt several years ago. He tried sticking to his notes but the emotion of the day overcame him, and the rest of us. Thank goodness he was belted up. His mother works for the Idaho Transportation Department and Craig attends college.

Dave Carlson wrapped up with, ?As you leave today, I hope you will remember that as things are in Idaho now, the 80% of responsible Idahoans are footing the bill so that the remaining 20% can exercise their ?personal choice? to violate Idaho?s law and not buckle up.?

The media was out in force and all news providers were there except for Channel 7. We were competing with a horrific double murder in Nampa that was just discovered. Media coverage was excellent overall.

District 4 ? Twin Falls Empty Shoes Event

After re-loading my vehicle with fresh educational supplies, and catching up in the office, I headed to Twin Falls for our Thursday event which was held in the Twin Falls City Council Chambers. Chief Dan Hall, Jerome Police Department, did the coordinating of the event. He was assisted by the Twin Falls Police and Twin Falls County Sheriff?s Office. He had lots of help waiting to set up the shoes and re-load my vehicle after the event.

Unfortunately, there had been a tragic traffic crash early Wednesday morning leaving three males, ages 20-22, dead, and two more in the hospital. The three that were killed were well-known residents of Filer and Twin Falls. They were all ejected and died at the scene. The other two boys were buckled up and survived. The newspaper article stressed that seat belts had to have saved the two that used them. One survivor was the brother of one who was killed. Their father works for the fire department.

With that tragedy as a backdrop, we started our event led by Chief Hall. He explained the empty shoes and then turned the podium over to Twin Falls County Sheriff Wayne Tousley who stressed the need for an effective seat belt law. Then I shared my comments on our progress and loss of funding for future efforts.

Dr. Kraal M.D., Emergency Room Physician, St. Luke?s (Magic Valley) Regional Medical Center, shared his thoughts. He talked about a recent case where a child that was unbelted was critically injured in a traffic crash. He will spend years learning such things as how to tie his shoes once again. And he talked about a mother who is now wheelchair-bound following a traffic crash in which she was unbelted. He used humor to point out that he has two kids in college and he jokingly encourages people to not use their seat belts so he can make more money to fund the college educations. He was very effective in promoting seat belt use in a different manner that we typically do.

He also shared the following message:

?Personal choice ends at the crash scene.

Hospitals don?t have choices. They have to try to put people back together again regardless of reimbursement.

These shoes represent the tip of the iceberg regarding the true costs of Idaho?s seat belt use problem.?

Lisa Knowlton shared her story about her family loss. I took her notes and will share them now. But these are mere words and do not convey the pain and suffering felt by Lisa, and her daughter who makes public presentations on seat belt use, or the rest of her family.

?I want to share a little about my brother with you today. We come from a family unit that has been close our whole lives. My brother was one of six children. My parents just celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary last week.

Joey had just turned 30 years old this year. He was a single dad of four little girls, ages 4, 6, 8, 10, and had a 12-year old daughter as well. He was a full-time dad, a mechanic, a son, and our brother. His family was his world. Joey had been a volunteer fireman for about ten years. Part of his training included vehicle extrication. You see, he was an all American boy.

Joey had the same things most all adults have; jobs, kids, car payments, bills, empty checking accounts, and adult responsibilities. He went to church on Sunday, and worked Monday through Friday, taking as much time off as he could to spend time playing with his kids.

Our family has plenty of traditions. We have a monthly birthday party for all those celebrating their birthdays that given month. You see, having six kids produced twenty-some grandkids over the past 17 years. Every year in July, our family has a ten-day camping trip reunion with our extended relatives including aunts, uncles, cousins, and lifelong family friends.

I?m telling you all of this because you see; the statistics don?t share with you the real lives that these deaths affect. My brother was no different from anyone in this room. He had been there on so many accidents that the fire department responded to. He always made sure his kids were buckled into their belts or car seats. He went to work, volunteered when he could, and made it home to the dinner table every night. He was an average, everyday human, not super human! Just human. He made mistakes. Unfortunately, his biggest mistake left a lot of people who loved and needed him to pay a lifelong price.

September 13, 2006?.. Joey had completed his day of work and made a double check of the girls? homework. With dinner finished and their baths taken, the family shared a bedtime prayer, and their daddy tucked each one of them into their beds with a tight squeeze and a final, ?I love you, goodnight?, and a kiss. After making sure the babysitter was clear on the instructions, he left for a night of musical entertainment with his friends.

He chose to go to a Royal Bliss concert and he chose to drink too much. He chose to climb behind the wheel, and he chose to take the back way home from Twin Falls to Wendell. He became disoriented as to where he was, and took a wrong turn onto a road he was unfamiliar with. He then chose to take full advantage of his pumped up good mood. He blared the stereo and put the pedal to the metal. The one thing Joe forgot to do was buckle his seat belt.

September 14, 1:24 am, police were dispatched to a vehicle that had crashed into a tree and was partially hanging over a canyon. In the three quarters of a mile he drove, he managed to be traveling at such a high rate of speed that a lady sleeping in her bed near the crash site stated she thought lightning had struck her backyard.

Three seconds. Three seconds is how long it takes to put on your seat belt, and three seconds is how long it took for my brother to miss a 90 degree turn, slide his truck sideways into a pine tree, taking out the first telephone pole. Then traveling about another 100 yards, the truck slammed into a two foot high bank of dirt, where it took out the second light pole while in the air. He was ejected at this point. The truck rolled in mid-air and then transplanted itself around a tree.

Joey was dead at about the same time he realized he was going to crash. He never felt a thing. But he left years and years of suffering to be done by those who loved him most.

And, Joey was not the first in our family to be killed in a car crash. On April 7, 2001, we had our baby sister taken from us when the driver of her car swerved in front of a semi just outside of Jordan Valley, Oregon. She lived here in Twin Falls and her driver was a resident of Gooding. He failed to pay attention for three seconds. And he killed her. She was thought to be asleep, with her seat reclined, and you guessed it, she was not wearing her seat belt.

She too was gone before she knew she had been in a crash.

Angie received the largest gift she had every received for a birthday that year. You see, for Angie?s 21st birthday, we purchased her a headstone.

These two people were the most kind-hearted and giving individuals you could ask to be related to. If there is one thing they would like to give you today, it would be a life. If in three seconds, you can think of one person you would want to live for, then please, take those three seconds and always buckle up.?

Following this powerful event, we packed up, and I had lunch with a friend in a local Thai restaurant. I could hear people talking about the fatalities from the night before and how senseless it all was.

District 6 ? Idaho Falls Empty Shoes Events

This event was conducted on Friday, January 26th, at City Hall on the steps at 9:00 am. The street was closed off and there was strong law enforcement support by all agencies. This event was coordinated by Co-Chair Lynette Sharp and her able staff. We had good media coverage and great participation from law enforcement, Idaho National Laboratories, the City of Idaho Falls, and others. It was 12 degrees outside and it was mighty chilly for those that aren?t accustomed to Eastern Idaho weather (me!).

Between all the packing and unpacking, the press packets for both Idaho Falls and Pocatello didn?t make the full trip. So we made them up using the press release which was emailed from es/drake, and I had the rest of the materials as handouts.

Lynette kicked off the event and then turned the podium over to Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman. He stressed strong support for the efforts of the seat belt coalition and planned to immediately do what he could to stress the importance of an effective seat belt law for Idaho.

I then shared my comments. However, with each event, it became more clear to me that these 126 pairs of shoes represent holes in families. Yes, they represent those that died unbelted in traffic crashes. But the holes in families remain forever, and they are not easily forgotten or filled. That is so important for people to know and for me to stress.

Then Michael Walker, Medical Chief, Madison County Emergency Services, shared his perspective as he provides EMS services to those involved in traffic crashes. Then he shared the loss of his daughter who died unbelted in a traffic crash just within the last year. Unfortunately, I don?t have more details from his presentation as he didn?t have notes I could take.

Then Gary and Joann Rose shared their story. Gary is a member of the Idaho Traffic Safety Commission and is retired from the Idaho Falls Fire Department. Joann made the following comments for them. I am providing the text of what she said.

?Regarding the testimony given here today, we have heard the irrefutable statistics regarding injuries and loss of life of those involved in traffic crashes while not wearing seat belts.

We have heard the specifics of the economic costs to society resulting from these crashes.

We have heard about the financial loss in terms of federal funding Idaho has incurred because our legislators have refused to step up to the plate and pass a primary seat belt law with the appropriate penalties for non-compliance.

I am a retired registered nurse with 19 years experience in the Intensive Care Unit. While working there, I saw first hand much of the tragedy and waste they have spoken of.

Now I would like to share with you from a personal perspective regarding the emotional loss involved with this issue.

Twenty years ago, our son, Michael, died in an auto accident ? he was unbelted. Although in my mind, he will always be 19, he would actually be 39 years old now. We, his family, were devastated ? I sometimes wonder how we survived!

Often I ponder on what kind of man he would have become?

What would his profession be?

Would he share a family with us now?

Would he still have the same mischievous sparkle in his eyes ? his subtle sense of humor ? his funny little chuckle?

My heart was broken the day he died, as was his father?s and sister?s. It was never fully healed and I imagine never will.

I truly believe that if wearing a seat belt could prevent even one of the 126 losses represented here today, it would be worth it. Especially if that ONE is someone YOU love.

I urge you to support the efforts represented today by the Idaho Seat Belt Coalition.

Write to the Idaho legislators and encourage them to right a serious wrong and make non-compliance with our restraint law a primary offense, including fines consistent with other moving violations, instead of the weak law that we now have.

Lt. Chris Weadick, Idaho State Police, then shared the law enforcement perspective and how an effective seat belt law could save Idaho lives. He spoke with a backdrop of officers from many different agencies.

After the media interviews, we packed up and I headed to Pocatello for their afternoon Empty Shoes Event.

District 5 ? Pocatello Empty Shoes Event

Lt. Dan Woods, Pocatello Police Department, coordinated the event which was held indoors (whew) in the City Council room at 1:00 pm. It was a nice setting for our event.

I had the pleasure of meeting Pam Holmes, Director Emergency Services, Portneuf Medical Center, and one of our speakers. She started her experience working traffic crashes when she was working on life flight helicopters and before seat belt laws were the law of the land. It didn?t take but one traffic crash for her to decide that she would always buckle up from then on for the sake of her loved ones.

Lt. Woods kicked off the event after which I shared my standard information stressing how these shoes represent holes in families that would never be filled. I also stressed the loss of personal choice when it comes to hospitals rendering care, and taxpayers and insurance purchasers paying for the increased medical costs that come with lack of seat belt use.

Pam Holmes shared her perspective and how hospital costs are passed on to the public through taxes, insurance premiums, and increased charges for medical care for other payers. She also shared how she and her family always buckle up and her past experiences that drove her to buckle up many years ago.

Lt. Eric Dayley, Idaho State Police, shared how the ineffective law provides minimal incentive for people to buckle up. A parking violation is $36.50 compared to a seat belt violation fine of $10. He also wanted to give kudos to Trooper Fritz Zweigert who wrote 39 seat belt citations during one ten-hour shift during a recent mobilization. That demonstrates serious enforcement/education and commitment to getting people buckled up.

Lt. Terry Felsman, Pocatello Police Department, then shared how his 17 year old daughter was saved by her seat belt back in 1997. While her car was totally demolished, she fared very well suffering just a cut on her hand. He was so thankful and relieved that his family wouldn?t suffer the tragedies suffered by many other families. He had a poster that he uses for other presentations about how seat belts save lives.

Lt. Woods wrapped up the event. We had two television stations recording the event and gathering information.

Summary

Driving the empty shoes to the many events statewide was an honor for me. Thanks to Chief Leslie Hendricks, Nez Perce Tribal Police, for suggesting that these events be conducted throughout the state, thus giving me the opportunity that I had. I can?t tell you how meaningful it was to hear a story from a family member every day of one week on how seat belts, or lack of seat belt use, had such an important impact on their family. Sally Mitchell, Captain Roger Lanier, Craig Lough, Lisa Knowlton, Gary and Joann Rose, and Lt. Terry Felsman renewed my conviction to reduce needless tragedies suffered by Idaho families. Sure, seat belts can?t save everyone, but they can save at least half, if they are used.

It was sad to drop off the 126 pairs of shoes at the Idaho Youth Ranch. Yes, I carried them around in my vehicle for 2 days because I couldn?t quite part with them, and what they represented to me. There were the red alligator pumps that were a hit everywhere. And the red girl?s cowboy boots that kept tipping over. Those almost new Danners that surely cost $250. And then there were my neighbor?s cowboy boots. And there were lots of men?s sneakers. There were 87 pairs of men?s shoes representing the unbelted males killed in 2005. 70% of the shoes were men?s shoes, and 61% were for men ages 20 and older. They surely represented a lot of fathers, fathers that left children behind to grow up without a dad. I wonder if these kids will grow up in poor families due to the lost income from the dads.

I ended my trip feeling more convinced than ever that Idaho families deserve more. Idaho?s fatality rate is 25% higher than the national average. We have a first rate state and we should not settle for using the fact that Idaho has a lot of rural roads to justify our fatality rate, explaining that this is just the way it is in Idaho. Let?s not settle for 126 unbelted traffic deaths in 2007.