Thursday, September 20, 2007

Warning: Binoculars & Airbags

From BIRDCHAT:

I am posting this with permission of the moderator from a lifetime member of the Brookline Bird Club who currently resides in Davis, California. Eight weeks ago, a friend and member of Yolo Audubon Society was out birding. He rolled his car over. The airbag deployed as it was supposed to, at 165-210 mph, smashing his binoculars into his chest. His sternum and several ribs were broken; a lung was punctured. He admits he's happy to be alive. The marks from his Swarovskis will mark his chest for a long time to come, though. Please remove your binoculars while driving; it could save your life.

6 comments:

Larry said...

I've been guilty of that!I also watch birds while driving.-After reading this, I'll be more careful.

Anonymous said...

I think there are two different issues here. 1) Yes you should not wear your binoculars while driving but more importantly 2) You should roll your car over.

BTW I and the Bird #58 is up...

Anonymous said...

Always proof read your comments.

You should "not" roll over your car.

Hope you all had a good laugh at my expense!

Anonymous said...

Even more dangerous is using your binoculars while driving. Not that I've ever done that... :)

Patrick B. said...

I'm guilty of birding while driving, wearing bins while driving, and staring at a soaring raptor through the sunroof while driving. We're all guilty! :)

Anonymous said...

Fred is a good friend and I hope that all bird folk can learn a lesson here. I know that I would not like to spend 8 weeks healing.