It might seem like a no-brainer to buckle up in your car, but the truth is that not everyone does. In fact, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as of 2016, only one in three drivers use their seat belts when they’re driving. Why? Well, for one thing, it can be uncomfortable – especially if you’re seating yourself in the middle of the front seat. And secondly, even if you do use your seat belt, it’s not always enough to keep you safe.
Health benefits
The health benefits of wearing a seat belt in a car are well-known and indisputable. Not only do seat belts reduce the risk of serious injury in a car accident, but they also have other health benefits. Seat belts can help to prevent neck, back, and other injuries in a crash. They can also reduce the risk of death in a crash by reducing the impact forces on your chest and abdomen. And, finally, they can help to reduce the risk of being thrown out of your car in a crash.
Seat belt laws
When you’re in a car, it’s important to wear your seat belt! Seat belt laws are in place for your safety and the safety of others around you. Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a car accident. Seat belts help distribute the weight of the person in the seat so that there is less pressure on the spine and other spinal cord injuries can be prevented. When you’re wearing your seat belt, it’s important to keep your head and neck properly positioned, so that they don’t become injured in a crash. If you’re not wearing a seat belt, please reconsider and buckle up!
Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seat belts save lives. In 2007, seat belt use saved 29,000 lives. The CDC also reports that if all drivers and passengers in the U.S. wore their seat belts, over 40,000 lives could be saved each year.
In addition to saving lives, wearing a seat belt also prevents serious injuries. Seat belt use is associated with a reduction in fatalities by 71% and serious injuries by 90%.
When it comes to safety in cars, seat belts are definitely something we should all be wearing!
Conclusion
It seems like we hear more and more about the dangers of not wearing seat belts every day. Statistics show that more than 40,000 people die in car accidents each year in the United States, and nearly half of those deaths are due to not wearing a seat belt. Not only does this put other drivers and passengers at risk, but it can also seriously injure you if you are thrown from your vehicle. If you’re ever in doubt about whether or not to wear a seat belt, always err on the side of caution and buckle up!