PLEASE USE SEAT BELTS !!!

[cruiserlarry]

My condolences go out to the families of these two men.

While this accident may not have been avoidable, the fatal outcome might have been. I am still stunned every time I hear about a fatality resulting from someone not using seat belts - what will it take to get some folks to use common sense ???

FATAL JEEP ACCIDENT

[Dennis David]

The way I drive I wouldn't be able to stay in my seat if it were not for seat belts. Had some friends recently ticketed for back seat passengers not wearing seat belts. The person not wearing them and the driver both receive $150 tickets.

If they don't fit right have them adjusted. Also I think joining a club and being mentored by more experienced off-roaders in lieu of a class wouldn't hurt either. I know I won't attempt anything too difficult without instructions..

[Chazz Layne]

Also I think joining a club and being mentored by more experienced off-roaders in lieu of a class wouldn't hurt either.

True, though I've never understood the logic (or lack thereof) that makes some folks think dirt is somehow automatically safe because it isn't a highway.



Most of the time I'm the exact opposite off-road (yeah, I'm that slow guy you have to pass enjoying the breeze with all the windows down). Even so, there are very few times I don't wear (sometimes when hunting), and never if there is risk of a solo-vehicle wreck (such as rolling over on a trail) - same goes for cargo BTW...

[DennisDawg]

It is the same off road logic that lets otherwise smart people make terrible errors with equipment, alcohol and more and occasionally pay a price. We all see it.

From what I have found, the trail was really the Freeway Ridge Trail, two men from Orange County:

http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog ... Team/58121

The name “Benca” there is apparently incorrect and it should be “Bence.”

It is reported that the CHP at least believed that with seat belts they’d have survived:

http://www.turnto23.com/news/23818968/detail.html

Another article with comments: http://www.kvsun.com/articles/2010/06/0 ... 309877.txt

Little map of trail: http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/galle ... geuser=409