According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA), wearing your seat belt serves as the single most effective way to reduce the risk of death and injury in a vehicle crash. Since 1975 seat belts are responsible for saving nearly 300,000 lives! This month on the blog we’re discussing the most important safety measure for both passengers and drivers alike. You guess it – seat belts!
THE FACTS
Research has shown that when used in the correct way, seat belts significantly lower the risk of critical to fatal injuries in car accidents. The NHTSA says that seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45%, critical injury to front-seat car passengers by 50%, fatal injury in light trucks by 60%, and critical injury in light trucks by 65%.
Vehicle ejections are one of the leading causes of death in auto collisions. In fact, more than 75% of ejected passengers die from their injuries. Seat belts prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected. Those who don’t wear a belt are nearly 30 times more likely to be thrown from the vehicle than those that do.
No matter how you choose to look at the statistics, it’s clear that wearing a seat belt is always a good idea.
SAFETY TIPS
While it may seem like common knowledge, there’s no harm in reviewing the proper way to strap a seat belt. After buckling in make sure the shoulder harness is sitting comfortable and snug across your chest and shoulder. You want to keep a minimal amount of slack in the belt. Your lap belt should also be secured both snuggly and comfortably in a low position across your hips. Wearing your belt in any other position increases the risk of injury and death in a collision.
Each state varies when it comes to regular and child seat belt laws. We suggest heading on over to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to see what your state requires. Here in Hawaii, both front and back-seat passengers are required to wear seat belts. According to Hawaii’s DMV children under the age of 4 must be secured in a federally-approved child safety seat. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 must ride in either a booster or car seat.
Fastening your seat belt is the most important safety step that both vehicle drivers and passengers will take. No route or destination is worth the risk of driving without a seat belt. Let’s help to reduce death and injury in vehicle collisions by reminding those around us to buckle up. Yes, it’s the law, but it can also save your life.