Trauma experts, Utah family urge safe driving as ‘100 Deadliest Days’ begin

“We didn’t know if he was going to make it or not,” Jackson said.

While the driver of the vehicle who hit them did not survive, the entire Jackson family miraculously pulled through.

“We recognize that it doesn’t always go as well as it’s gone for us, and we’re really grateful for that,” Jackson said.

“You can’t prevent everything from happening, but if something were to happen, you would want to make sure that you prevented what you could,” said McKenna Clawson, trauma nurse practitioner at Intermountain Health.

The best way to protect yourself? Buckle up, experts say.

“It’s really a matter of life and death,” Clawson said. “It makes a world of difference and needs to be a non-negotiable for all Utah families.”

Jackson said everyone in their car was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, and believes it would have been a different story if that weren’t the case.

“There’s no way we would have made it without our seatbelts,” she said.

If you have kids in the car, make sure their car seats or booster seats are appropriate for their age and size. For a child in a booster seat, the lap belt should cross the upper thighs, while the shoulder belt should rest on the child’s collarbone. Also, check the expiration date of your child’s car seat as they have a lifespan of six to 10 years.

“Kids should be in booster seats up to 57 inches, and we want the little kids in the correct car seat for their size,” said Michelle Cameron, community health coordinator at Intermountain Health.

Aside from wearing seatbelts, experts urge motorists to not speed or drive under the influence, be well rested, and stay attentive and distraction-free.

“Show those you love that you care for yourself by driving safely,” Jackson said.

Related: A Utah mother’s plea as the 100 Deadliest Days begin