The sample is, fortunately, very small but the little evidence that Mower County’s 2011 fatal accident statistics provide is suggestive: The best way to stay safe is to avoid combining alcohol with motor vehicles and to wear a seatbelt.

This week’s statewide report on motor vehicle accidents showed continual statewide progress towards a goal of zero highway deaths. Mower County had three motor vehicle deaths during 2011. Alcohol, news reports indicated, was a factor in one highway death and another involved a person who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. With only three cases to compare, it is striking that alcohol and seat belt use were both involved. Sheriff Terese Amazi summed that evidence up concisely in a quote from Thursday’s Herald: “… A lot of these fatal crashes can be prevented by wearing your seatbelt and not driving drunk.”

Simple advice, but demonstrably true. We encourage everyone who drives (which means most adults) to consider that wisdom.