Seat Belts—a “Snap” Decision that Saves Lives
Do you know which car safety feature saved over 15,000 lives in 2007? If you guess seatbelts, you guessed right!
That’s the good news.
The unsettling news is that over 5,000 more lives could have been saved if the people involved in some traffic accidents were wearing their seat belts.
The fact is indisputable: Seatbelts save lives.
Yet still, about 1 out of every 5 drivers does not consistently wear a seat belt while driving. Some drivers refuse to wear one at all. Others think seat belts aren’t necessary when driving a short distance, when driving in uncongested or rural areas, or when driving slowly. But that’s simply not true.
Traffic accidents aren’t something you can (or would ever want to) plan. They can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone. And they don’t have to involve other vehicles. An animal could jump in front of you. You could fall asleep at the wheel. Children fighting in the back seat could momentarily distract you. Each of these scenarios could cause you to swerve off the road and crash into something stationary.
Get in the habit
Seat belts are only effective if they’re worn. That’s why it’s important to develop a habit of wearing one at all times. Besides wearing a seat belt is the law in every state. If you’re pulled over for whatever reason and you’re not wearing your seat belt, you’ll definitely get a warning and you could get a ticket. The legal consequences associated with not wearing one are real and local law enforcement agencies are getting tougher, not more lenient, on this issue. That’s how important it is.
Seat belt safety tips
- The two seat belt straps protect different areas. The lower strap should fit across your hips, not across your belly. This helps prevent you from being ejected.
- The shoulder harness should rest across your chest and collar bone. It should not cut into your neck. Its purpose is to prevent your head from hitting the steering wheel, windshield or dash board. Never put it behind your back and never think you don’t need it because your car has airbags.
- Children too small for a seat belt to fit properly should be seated in a car or booster seat designed specifically for the child’s height and weight.