Did you know that seat belts could save 9,500 lives and prevent 132,000 injuries a year? Although seatbelt use has increased steadily over the last few decades saving countless lives, too many drivers and passengers are still losing their lives simply because they do not buckle up. Specifically, teens and those driving at night are still forgetting or refusing to wear their seat belts, leading to higher fatality and injury rates.

Seat Belt Safety Tips To Reduce Car Accident Injuries

Did you know that seat belts could save 9,500 lives and prevent 132,000 injuries a year? Although seatbelt use has increased steadily over the last few decades saving countless lives, too many drivers and passengers are still losing their lives simply because they do not buckle up. Specifically, teens and those driving at night are still forgetting or refusing to wear their seat belts, leading to higher fatality and injury rates.

In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 68 percent of teens killed in car accidents that occurred at night where not wearing their seatbelts, while 57 percent of teen kill in day car crashes were not buckled up. Males between 16 and 25 are the least likely to buckled up - and the most likely to get into accidents in the first place.

The federal government is fighting for seatbelt use in two ways. First off, they launched a nationwide, 24-hour-a-day campaign called Click It Or Ticket (CIOT) which allows officers to charge those drivers when they - or their passengers - are not wearing their seat belts. Secondly, the government has funded a $7.5 million campaign supporting nighttime seatbelt use, especially for teens.

Here are some seat belt safety tips for your and your family - they could save your life or the life of a loved one.

  • Always wear your seat belt - there are no excuses. It doesn't matter if you're just running to the store or if you are trying to sleep in the back seat. The shoulder belt should fit snuggly across your collarbone and chest - never loosely or behind your back.
  • Never let your kids ride in the front seat if they are under 12. Even if they put up a fight, you both should know that it is about their safety and nothing more.
  • Don't think your airbag will save you - they are only effective 42 percent of the time. The way to stay safest is to wear a seat belt and use your airbag as extra protection. Airbags have been designed to work in conjunction with your seat belt!
  • Don't buckle more than one person into a seat belt - they are not designed to work for two people and could cause injury.
  • Even though it might be uncomfortable, buckle up when you are pregnant! Buckling up will not harm the baby even if the belt is tight; however, not buckling up and getting into a car accident will be extremely dangerous for your unborn child.
  • Check all of the seat belts in your car for breaks, jams, or frays - wearing your seat belt won't help you much in an accident if it breaks or malfunctions during your car accident.

Buckling your seat belt only take a moment - but it could save your life.


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