Area pastor spreading word on traffic safety

Only 19 percent of black men ages 18 to 29 wear a seat belt.

By KYLE W. MORRISON

Southeast Missourian

Being macho won't save your life, especially in a car accident.

That's the message the Rev. Cecil B. Thomas Jr. of Second Missionary Baptist Church wants to send out during today's safety fair.

Several activities and presentations focused on traffic safety will be featured from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Rhema Word International Breakthrough Ministries.

The fair was partially inspired by statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that note almost one out of four blacks do not wear seat belts, lower than the national compliance rate of 82 percent.

In addition, only 19 percent of black men between 18 and 29 years old wear a seat belt, according to Lynn Ware, co-coordinator of the Cape Girardeau Safe Communities Program, a not-for-profit group devoted to traffic safety.

Thomas chalks up the low numbers to young black men being macho.

For most men, "we feel like we're stronger and can take more if you hurt us," he said. But when it comes to a vehicle accident, being macho won't help at all, Thomas said.

The pastor even admits that up until about a year ago, he didn't always wear a seat belt. But after the Safe Communities Program shared the statistics with him, he changed his tune and has started spreading the word about safety.

"It is an issue that needs to be paid close attention to," he said. Thomas now makes sure to bring up safety issues in conversations and Bible study groups with his parishioners.

At the fair, the first 100 children will receive a free bicycle helmet, Ware said. Cape Girardeau Bicycle Cycling and Fitness will provide a personal bike maintenance check.

The fair will also feature the Seat Belt Convincer, which stimulates a 5 mph car crash, and Fatal Vision Goggles, which replicate driving under the influence.

A semi set up will allow fair participants to learn the blind spots of truck drivers, according to Ware.

Thomas said he hoped more fairs such as today's will be held in the community.

"We need to make people aware of this," he said. "There are so many people that just don't know the number of accidents and deaths that occur without a seat belt."

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

Want to go?

What: Safety Fair

Where: Rhema Word International Breakthrough Ministries, 750 N. Mount Auburn Road.

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.