COUNTRY RELATIVES LAUNCH DEBUT CD

Last year, at the 4th annual Bequia Music festival, a phenomenal group from Bequia, The Country Relatives, performed to a sold out crowd and were rewarded with a recording contract by CRS Music in Barbados. Last Saturday afternoon prior to their evening performance at the Bequia Music Festival, their debut CD “Made in Bequia” was released at a great new Lower Bay restaurant with the unlikely name of “Can’t Remember The Name"*

Avondale “Avie” Leslie, Lead Guitar and Vocals

The band laid its initial 18 tracks in Sky Studios in St. Vincent and the mixing and mastering was done in Nashville Tennessee, the world centre for country music. True country music is an expression of a people and their culture. You will hear tracks such as “Harpoon Saloon”, St.Vincent, My Homeland”and “Back in Bequia”. Tour arrangements are in the planning stage and the CD is being promoted world-wide by CRS Music. It is available locally and soon, world-wide.

*(Started by Jorg “Stanley” Dormieden”. The ambiance, food and service at “Can’t Remember the Name” are all great and prices are `reasonable, but if you are planning to meet someone there, be very sure that they know it is the name of the restaurant, not an admission of your failing memory).

BEQUIA ROCKS: FEB. 1, 2008

BEQUIA 2008 BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL

Last Friday and Saturday evenings, Jan. 25 & 26, close to 2000 people danced the weekend away at De Reef and Dawn’s Beach Café at Lower Bay, the venue for the 2008 Bequia Music Festival. The rebuilt stage area at De Reef was supplemented by a live, closed circuit big-screened video, bringing the entire performance to the outdoor diners and dancers. Residents and visitors alike all agreed that this year’s program of Blues, Jazz and Country music was just about as good as it gets.

Giving the Festival a distinctively local flavor, St. Vincent’s own 13-piece Elite Steel Pan Orchestra kicked off the weekend of music on Thursday January 24th at the Frangipani Hotel and from all reports they were better than ever.

Thanks to Basil Charles for once again bringing the Mustique Blues Festival to Bequia and to Sylvester Simmons of De Reef for hosting the event and of course to the indefatigable Wilbert and Nichola whose attention and professional organization and management of thousands of details made this huge event such a success.

Friday’s Blues program opened with Dana Gillespie and her London Blues Band with Julien Brunetaud, Dino Baptiste, Jake Zaitz, Jeff Walker, Mike Paice, Darby Todd, and Enrico Morena, proving that world-class entertainment has a home in the Eastern Caribbean. Additional artists from the world of Blues included Zach Prather, Ronnie Jones, Carvin Jones and London-based guitarists Papa George and Steve Simpson.

A word or two about Dana Gillespie who has become a legend in her own time: Ten years ago,

Dana and Mustique’s Basil Charles, founded and organised a free charity blues festival on Mustique. All funds collected through the sale of the Mustique Blues Festival CDs are used to pay for scholarships for children's schooling in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Few people know that her many talents include not only being a world-class musician with 42 albums to her credit, but numerous radio, theatre, film, television and sports credits as well. She toured with Bob Dylan, played the part of Mary Magdalene in the West End London first run of Jesus Christ Super Star and for four years she was the reigning British junior water-ski champion!

Today, her music has evolved from a folk genre in the 60s to Rock in the 70s to the incredible interpretation of the blues she performed Friday night.

Saturday and Sunday the show carried on: Toby Armstrong and the Mount Gay Blues Band from Barbados performed their unique brand of rock and blues. Another highlight was the international "All-Star" band, including the great blues pianist David Maxwell, Trinidadian bass player Michael Boothman, drummer James Lovell from Barbados and New York trumpeter Jim Coleman.

Attendees also heard a guest appearance by 2006 Digicel Rising Star Winner Kyron Baptiste, reggae and soca from Colin Peters and Friends, a debut performance by singer Amanda Gooding from Bequia and traditional Bequia string music from "The Kings of Strings".
The wrap up was held Sunday afternoon, again at De Reef in Lower Bay and free to all. Entertainers included ­The Attic Jazz Band from St. Vincent, Scottish fiddlers Sandra and Trevor Buck, The Honky Tonics and friends, the Bequia Blues Band and a Party sponsored by main event sponsor Mount Gay Rum.

If you weren’t there, you missed another world-class entertainment event.

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

January 25, 2008 - Ben Harrison, International Correspondent


Earlier this month, THE VINCENTIAN recommended that all drivers adopt better safe driving habits as one of their New Year’s resolutions. Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for traffic, weather and road conditions is unsafe at any time.

The roads of St. Vincent have been undergoing major infrastructure improvements, from our costal highways to streets in Kingstown. Unfortunately many drivers become off-track racers, using these newly paved roads as their own private speedways.

Our police do not have the radar and other technology devices to enforce speed limits and safe driving. Those charged with a traffic offense, usually following an accident, often ignore the charge or hire a lawyer to defend them on a technicality and go on to offend again. Is there a solution?

Following its rebuilding and new pavement, Paul’s Avenue was in danger of becoming Kingstown’s newest high speed artery. It has a great deal of van and commercial traffic, a constant flow of pedestrian traffic including school children. Exacerbating the dangerous conditions, parking is allowed on the east side of the street.

A solution is the recent installation of “Speed Bumps” or what are known as “Traffic Calmers”. While the ‘bumps’ may calm traffic, they anger drivers and are the subject of much heated debate and criticism.

Speed bumps are not new: The idea originated when the ancient Romans used stepping stones to slow chariots at pedestrian crossings. They were introduced in traffic calming street designs in numerous pre-war U.S. and European cities. On June 7, 1906, The New York Times reported on speed bumps being installed in Chatham, New Jersey. Research has proven that speed bumps are very effective in reducing speeds on streets, contributing to greater quality of life and fewer crashes.

Critics argue that speed bumps slow down emergency vehicles and may cause physical discomfort, even pain, for disabled persons or persons with physical ailments. Being jolted or jostled by speed bumps and humps can be painful for persons with injuries or painful illnesses. Surely the overall safety of everyone is more important.

Our streets are valuable public spaces and should be shared equally by all users. Street designs and traffic rules could slow and reduce traffic while encouraging walkers and cyclists to share the street.

Vans, buses, emergency vehicles, garbage trucks and people in a hurry, will become more aware of where traffic calming measures are installed and either take a different route or change their driving habits. While drivers can often ignore traffic laws and good driving practices, they cannot ignore traffic calming speed bumps. They either slow down or suffer an immediate penalty of a damaged vehicle or at the very least shaken up passengers or cargo.

While The Vincentian applauds any measures designed to improve traffic safety, we do recommend that our road and traffic engineers consider eliminating parking on the first two blocks of north of Paul’s Avenue, making the speed bumps more visible by painting them white or yellow and erecting signs advising drivers to slow down.

If you live anywhere near Paul’s Avenue and hear things going “Bump” in the night, it’s probably just another driver ignoring the speed bumps.

AFTERNOON AT THE BEACH-A TRAGIC LOSS

January 25, 2008: Ben Harrison – International Correspondent

Nineteen year old Preston Browne, a graduate of the SVG Community College, was a well-liked, artistic, creative and musical person who was a Member of the Youth Fellowship at Brighton Methodist Church.

Last Saturday, he was celebrating his first weekend off his job as an Airport Cadet at E.T. Joshua Airport. Along with his best friend Timon Warren he had looked forward to an afternoon of fun in the sand and surf at Brighton Beach. The winds and surf were high and although Preston was a non-swimmer, the boys did not go beyond their depth, as they enjoyed the surf and riding the waves into shore. Without warning: Tragedy struck.




















Young Hero: Timon Warren (Best friend)

Timon Warren remembers seeing a large wave crash over the head of his friend Preston, knocking him down. He became aware that he had lost his footing in the shifting sands and the undertow was pulling him out to sea. He was obviously in difficulty.

Timon is a good swimmer: Risking his own life, he rushed into the surf where he had last seen Preston. He managed to grab hold of him and attempted to pull him into shore. This was no easy task as Preston weighed over 200 pounds and at times Timon was underneath Preston, trying to hold his head above water.

Timon’s calls for help were heard by one of the Bequia Beach Club’s attendants, John Rayham who ran into the sea with an inflated tube and assisted Timon in bringing Preston, who still had signs of life and a pulse, up onto the beach.




















John Rayham-Bequia Beach Club

Timon, who had taken Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training, applied pressure and rolled him on his side: He coughed up a considerable amount of water. An off duty police officer witness continued emergency resuscitation efforts while Timon attracted the attention of another person on the beach, Maxwell Sayers.

Sayers told THE VINCENTIAN that he had seen the boys playing in the surf but did not realize until that moment that there was a problem. He called 911, an ambulance and the police for assistance, but was told to put the victim in his car and drive to the hospital. He was further advised that the ambulance would meet him on the way. Despite providing his vehicle description and plate number, plus honking his horn, the ambulance passed him in the Villa area. Preston may have actually died on the way to the hospital.

THE VINCENTIAN interviewed George and Grace Warren, friends of the Browne family and parents of Timon. They belonged to the same church community, Brighton Methodist, and knew Preston as a fine young man who had “Accepted Christ” and was a leader in the youth fellowship. George Warren said he was like a son to them.
Former Head Mistress of his primary school, Mrs. Lewis remembered him to be a thoughtful, intelligent and artistic student who asked interesting questions and was very serious about being a Christian.
















Sylvester, Princeton and Joy Ann Browne

THE VINCENTIAN also interviewed Sylvester and Joy Ann Browne, parents of Preston. Mrs. Browne, an active church worker was a Sunday school leader and at the time of her son’s drowning was attending a funeral of a church member. Through their grief, they spoke with love and pride of their son Preston. They also have another son, Princeton, age 7.

When a family or community loses one of its senior members, in its sadness it celebrates the memory of that person’s long and full life and accepts death as a continuing journey. When the loss is a child or young adult, the loss is also for a life that might have been and was not allowed to develop to its full potential.

The communities of Brighton and Diamond and Brighton Methodist Church are all grieving the loss of one of their promising young men, and asking “Why?”.

Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death among children and young adults and is one of the leading causes of death for visitors in St. Vincent & the Grenadines and the Caribbean in General. Our beaches do not have lifeguards and extreme caution is necessary swimming in unfamiliar waters.

Another observation is the absence of the availability of oxygen for emergencies. Our police detachments, most hotels, beaches and even local medical clinics do not have Oxygen available for emergencies. Would the availability of oxygen have helped prevent the death of Preston Browne? Not until the results of the autopsy are known, and even then, we may never know.

INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN - VINCENTIAN ARTICLE JAN. 18, 2008

INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN

PERFORMING MIRACLES ONE CHILD AT A TIME

Ben Harrison & Dr. Sheila Pennington

Last week in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, The Vincentian Newspaper had the privilege of meeting and interviewing several medical and support team members of a not-for-profit organization whose vision is, “Every child, regardless of geography, will have access to life saving critical care.”

IHC or the International Hospital for Children is a humanitarian organization based in Richmond Virginia USA. Its mandate includes linking worldwide pediatric surgical, diagnostic and preventative resources to heal critically ill children in developing countries. It helps build indigenous health care capacity by bringing the finest medical minds together to save lives now, while training local pediatric professionals to save lives tomorrow. Local medical professionals are eager to learn specialized pediatric procedures firsthand from IHC’s surgical and diagnostic teams preparing for the day they won’t have to be dependent on outsiders to treat our children.
IHC provides hope, health and healing where previously there may have been little or none.

St. Vincent & the Genadines is not alone in its needs. Ninety percent of the world has access to only 10% of the world’s medical resources. The absence of pediatric critical care expertise, especially surgical care, leaves children suffering and dying from conditions routinely treated in the United States. Where a baby is born is often THE deciding factor between life and death.
We are blessed in St. Vincent to have the leadership and encouragement of our government, leading citizens and organizations and international organizations such as the International Hospital for Children, committed to the welfare of children, the advancement of health care and development of local expertise and facilities.

His Excellency, Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne and Lady Ballantyne have sponsored the Governor General’s Children’s Fund; St. Vincent & the Grenadines Ministry of Health under its current Minister, Hon. Douglas W. Slater has provided Government support and cooperation to IHC and the South St. Vincent Rotary Club has provided much needed funding. Residents of the Island of Mustique have also been very generous in supporting the fund raising initiatives of IHC.

IHC President Susan Rickman said that since its beginning in 2001, through its international network of medical partners, IHC is providing an organizational foundation, financial resources and essential critical skills. She explained that IHC’s goal is to teach, mentor and work with doctors and nurses to raise the level of local pediatric critical care capacity in St. Vincent and other partner countries. IHC is like a hospital without walls, moving with speed and efficiency, healing as many as 50 children in one visit.

Since 2002, several times each year, IHC has been sending pediatric surgical and diagnostic teams to St. Vincent. This week it treated its 200th St. Vincent & the Grenadines baby. During this time, IHC has even arranged for complex cases to be sent for treatment to a growing network of its US and international partner hospitals.

Critical care is an everyday experience
Critical care is an everyday experience for IHC volunteers. During the past week, the team performed three rare and difficult surgical procedures on infants brought to them:
One baby was born with Gastroschisis, an abdominal wall defect in which the intestines were developing outside the abdomen through an opening in the abdominal wall. Another was born with a Mesoblastic Nephroma Tumor of the Kidney, requiring a delicate kidney excision and a third baby was born with a rare genetic disorder known as Jejunal Artresia, a complicated twisting of the small intestine caused by the partial absence of the fold of the stomach membrane. These infants now have the potential of growing and living normal, healthy lives.
Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease RF/RHD

Many children suffer from Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease which can lead to permanent heart damage. It accounts for 60% of all cardiovascular disease in children and young adults. A recent study determined that the rate of infection is 200 times greater in the eastern Caribbean than in the USA, yet with aggressive treatment it can be dramatically reduced.
IHC has partnered with Rockefeller University to design a public health prevention program. Rockefeller University, along with the St. Vincent Ministry of Health, will implement a program to develop awareness, manage current patients with rheumatic fever and heart disease, and prevent future cases from occurring.

The long-term goal is to establish St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a hub for advanced pediatric services for the whole Eastern Caribbean. Currently, no pediatric critical care exists for our region. With state of the art facilities concentrated in St. Vincent, we can become a centre for surgery and diagnostic teams to care for children throughout the entire Eastern Caribbean. This facility will also attract talented pediatric specialists to stay or move to the region.
Susan Rickman concluded that each child IHC has touched over the years has in turn, touched them. They have come to us with great need and little hope. But with the help of doctors, volunteers, and donors their stories have had happy endings.

At the farewell cocktail reception, one felt a heart-beat of hope and a hope-beat of heart. From our first meeting with the indefatigable Susan Rickman, Drs. Bea Dadda, St. Vincent Pediatric Specialist, David Lanning, IHC Pediatric Surgeon and Dr. Mike Estes, IHC Pediatric Anesthesiologist, all the other doctors and interested attendees including a large contingent of committed donors from Mustique, plus the warm and heartfelt words of His Excellency Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, there was a spirit of love, understanding and co-operation.

Katy Martling, IHC nurse USA; Lauren Corbett, IHC staff coordinator USA; Kathy Stein, IHC Anesthesiologist support staff USA; Dr. David Lanning Pediatric Surgeon USA; Dr. Mike Estes , Pediatric Anesthesiologist, USA; Dr. Bea Datta, Pediatrician, St. Vincent; Excellency, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, Governor General, St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Susan Rickman, President IHC, USA; Hon. Douglass Slater Minister of Health, St. Vincent & the Grenadines;

Jackie Browne-King , IHC staff resident in St. Vincent.

Joan Carlisle-Irving, Canada & Mustique; Dr. Sheila Pennington, Canada and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Dr. Mike Estes Pediatric Anesthesiologist, Virginia, USA; Christina Scwindt, Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatrics, Allergy & Immunization, California

VINCENTIAN ARTICLE ON AUTO INSURANCE

THE VINCENTIAN JANUARY 15, 2008
Ben Harrison – International Correspondent

A TIME TO Take back our roads

From an automobile driving and insurance perspective, the unprecedented, economic boom in St. Vincent and the Grenadines brings good news and bad news: Good news because more persons are working and our standard of living is improving. Material goods, including appliances, electronics and motor vehicles are no longer just a dream to the average person; they are becoming a reality.
Our country and its entrepreneurial, business, financial and political sectors is on the threshold of experiencing great success. There are potentially negative side effects to success that cannot be ignored; one of these being an increase in the number of road accidents with corresponding increases in the severity of injuries, deaths and property damage.
As more people are becoming licensed drivers, our roads are becoming the equivalent of high speed super highways, to accommodate not only private passenger vehicles, but the needs of heavy industrial, commercial and residential contractors, as they move huge trucks and equipment along our roads.
As individuals, we are part of this problem. As responsible individuals, we can also be part of the solution. The Vincentian Newspaper and Metrocint General Insurance Company plan to be leaders in making St. Vincent and the Grenadines roads and its drivers among the best in the Caribbean.
We hope the following suggestions, tips and information will make your New Year healthy and safe for you and the special people in your lives.

Make Safe Driving Your 2008 New Year's Resolution
Each year thousands of people in St. Vincent make a series of New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking and get out of debt. But did you hear of anyone resolving to drive more safely in the New Year. Many drivers think they are already good drivers and their driving skills don’t need improving. Everyone’s driving can use improvement.
We challenge you to include as one of your 2008 New Year’s Resolution a commitment to become a safer driver. To start you off, we have some tips to improve your driving skills and make the roads a safer place for everyone.
1. Turn off the cell phoneTalking on your cell phone can be as deadly as drinking and driving. A few years ago we didn’t even have cell phones and we seemed to get along just fine. If you have to take an urgent call, pull over to the side of the road or wait until you reach your destination and call back.
2. Follow the speed limit Driving over the speed limit, endangers yourself and others. Our speed limits are created to keep everyone safer.
3. Forget about snacking in the carDriving and drinking or eating at the same time creates a driving hazard while on the road, especially if you drop something and try to pick it up. So this year, make one of your 2008 New Year’s Resolutions to stop eating and driving. You might even lose some weight.
4. Use your turn signals Many drivers change lanes or turn without using their turn signals. Please use your left and right turn signals while driving. It will help keep you safe and help notify other drivers around you of your next “move.”
5. Always look before movingUse your rear and side view mirrors and look over your shoulder before switching lanes. Your car and the other drivers on the road will thank you.
6. Say goodbye to road rageWe all have done it. This year try taking a different approach. Safely adjust to weather, road and traffic conditions. This will help you stay calm and help keep everyone around you safe as well.
7. Reading while driving is never a good ideaLast Friday we saw a driver actually reading a newspaper while behind the wheel. It only takes a second or two for the car in front to brake, resulting in a rear end collision.
9. Wear your seatbelt Wearing seat belts is a snap, saves lives daily, and saves millions of dollars. Whether you believe it or not, statistics don’t lie and seat belts do save lives and prevent injuries. If you don’t already wear your seatbelt while driving, vow to make it a 2008 New Year’s Resolution. The life you save may be your own.

Quick tips on proper seat belt use and safety:

The belt should be low and snug across the pelvis or lap, and never across the stomach.

The shoulder belt should be across the chest and collarbone, and be snug. It should never be in front of the face or behind the back.

Remember, you still need to wear seat belts even if your car has air bags – in fact, air bags only work properly if you are belted in and they are not designed to replace seat belts.

All children under 12 should be buckled into an appropriate seat, such as a child safety seat in the back.

Infants should be placed in rear-facing car seats in the back.

ARE YOU A BAD DRIVER?
Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself the following seven questions:
1. When I reach a stop sign and no one is coming from another direction, do I come to a full stop? Most bad drivers say they should be able to go through stop signs, as long as no one gets hurt.
2. Do I talk on my cell phone while driving instead of pulling over and stopping to talk? 77 percent of bad drivers say they talk on a cell phone while driving.
3. Do I drive with one hand while using the other to drink coffee or eat a snack while on the road? We even learned that many drivers have spilled drinks and become involved in an accident while attempting to clean up the spill while still driving.
4. Does listening to loud music while I drive take my attention away from everything but the music? Most drivers say that they listen to the radio and listening to loud music has caused them to drive more aggressively.
5. Do I find myself throwing obscene verbal or hand gestures, because of driving habits or the driving habits of others? Most drivers consider themselves to be courteous, many admit to making obscene or rude comments to other drivers, particularly those who cut in front of them. Most drivers however appreciate a thank-you gesture for letting another driver into their lane, and often give a wave of thanks themselves when they cut into traffic.
6. Do I sometimes feel sleepy behind the wheel? Many people admit that they have almost fallen asleep or wanted to shut their eyes while driving.
7. When I drive with passengers, do I turn around to talk, taking my eyes off the road? Most drivers say that they are distracted when they have passengers in their cars, and during conversations will turn their heads and stop paying attention to the road. This held true especially for drivers with small children.

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions you need to reevaluate your driving habits. People who answer “Yes” have other characteristics that you may recognize in your own life like leading a very stressful life without enough time to accomplish all their activities in a day.

CELL PHONES CAN BE DANGEROUS
It seems that nearly everyone in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has and uses a cell phone. Cell phone technology has improved our ability to communicate and keep in touch with employers and loved ones, however studies are proving that cell-phone use while driving can be very dangerous and is a leading cause of driver distraction leading to accidents. One study concluded that talking on a cell phone while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving, even if the phone is a hands-free model, showing that motorists who talked on hands-free cell phones were 18 percent slower in braking. Over 40 countries have already prohibited the use of cell phones while driving and impose heavy fines for violating the regulation.

When It Is Time To Take The Car Keys
Early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and dementia may be hard to diagnose, but what may be even harder is deciding on how and when to take away the car keys from a motorist who relies on driving in their day-to-day life.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia can lead to confused and impaired judgment which can affect the driver's perception of distance, hinder their ability to make quick decisions, and ultimately make them a driving hazard not only to themselves, but to other drivers as well. The hard thing about these diseases is that most people do not recognize they have a problem or that their driving skills are diminishing. And, by taking away their privilege to drive, many feel that their freedom and independence is at stake. But it's a decision that no matter how hard, must be made to keep people safe.

• A few steps that may be taken to ease the transition from driver to passenger are to:
  Limit driving to daylight hours only
  Only permit driving on familiar roads
  Ask friends and relatives to help with transportation
  Arrange to have groceries delivered
  There is no instant test or to diagnose whether or not a driver has Alzheimer's disease or, but you can make your own assessment on how their driving skills are.
  Look for patterns or repeating incidents, and keep your eyes open for warning signs that there might be an issue with driving.
• Also:
  Talk to other family members about your concern, and be sure they keep an eye on the driver as well. Observe their driving and note the times and dates of anything that makes you feel nervous-such as if they miss a turn, cut the wheel too hard, hit curbs, drive on lawns, forget directions to familiar places, drive too fast or too slow for certain conditions, etc.
  When it's time to talk to your family member or friend, be sure to discuss the alternatives to driving. Don't get them on the defensive, and reassure them that their freedom isn't being taken away.
  If needed, get assistance from a doctor.
  

Teens or Seniors: Who are Our Worst Drivers?

While we complain about our “white-haired” drivers, the truth is that we have little to complain about. Looking at the numbers, it’s the young drivers we are concerned about.
A teenager (especially a teenage boy), is full of confidence in skills he has yet to acquire. His lack of judgment and experience are deadly combinations on the road.
Less than one percent of people over 65 die as a result of motor vehicle accidents. On the other hand, car crashes are the major cause of death for the age group 16-19. Their risk of crash per mile is 4 times higher than in older age groups and males in this group are twice as likely as females to die in a car crash.
Age and experience do matter While older drivers do have problems that can sometimes affect their ability, studies show that older drivers tend to be more aware of their limitations and restrict their driving accordingly. As a result, car accidents involving seniors are generally not serious.
If you have teens, take the time to help them become smart, safe drivers. Teach them the following important safety tips:

• 
  Obey the speed limit
  Drive defensively
  Don’t drink and drive
  Wear seatbelts at all times
  Limit distractions, including cell phones, too many friends in the car etc.
  

What to do when You're in a Car Accident
If you've been in a car accident, you know it is easy to find yourself mixed up and unsure of the details you need to protect yourself and your passengers. To help you remain organized and focus on what you can control, the following are steps to take when you're in a car accident:

• 
  Car Accident Kit: Just in case the worst ever happens, prepare a car accident kit to keep in your glove box. Your kit should include a pen, a pad of paper, your vehicle's registration, a copy of your auto insurance card, emergency contact numbers and a disposable camera. Also, you should include road flares.
• Stay CalmCar accidents can happen quickly. Staying calm will help you remember the details of the accident and help keep all parties involved focused on the accident.
  
• Make Sure No One is Hurt Check for injuries to yourself, your passengers and the other parties involved. Do not move any injured people; instead call 911 for medical assistance.
  
• Move Your CarIn the case of a minor impact or fender bende, you should pull over onto a shoulder, so other traffic can pass. However, if the accident is more serious, do not move any vehicles. Post someone in both directions to warn other traffic to slow down.
  Call the Police No matter how minor of an accident, report the incident. If the police are unable to come to the scene, make sure to exchange the following information with all parties involved including;
  
• Name
  Address
  Phone number
  Auto insurance company name and phone number
  Policy number
  Driver's license number
  License plate number
  Year, make, model and color of car
  In addition, make sure to get the names, address and phone numbers of all witnesses.
  Document the AccidentUse your disposable camera from your car accident kit to photograph the cars involved, the position of the cars and any damage done to the vehicles. If you don't have your camera available, make sure to write down detailed notes of the accident for your auto insurance company.
  Know What to Say and Not SayWhile at the scene, do not tell the other drivers or the police officer that you think the car accident was your fault and don't discuss the specifics of the accident with anyone other than the police officer or your auto insurance company agent.
  Call Your Auto Insurance Company ImmediatelyAs soon as you can, report the car accident to your auto insurance company. To help expedite the call, make sure to have the following information in front of you,
  Date and time of the car accident
  The direction and speed you and the other drivers were going
  How the car accident occurred
  Name and information of the parties and witnesses involved
  If anyone was injured in the car accident
  Where and what damage was done to your car