The Basics of Seat Belt Safety

seat belt

Wearing your seat belt is definitely the easiest and safest choice drivers and passengers can make before going on a car ride. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 13,941 lives. It’s estimated that 90.1% of people wear their seat belt in the United States, however, 27.5 million people still don’t buckle up.

Consequences To Not Wearing Your Seat Belt

NHTSA reports that of the 35,092 people killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2015, 48% were not wearing seat belts. So what happens when you do not wear or improperly wear your seat belt?

  1. If you do not wear a seat belt there is a risk that you could be totally ejected from your vehicle. If you decide to wear your seat belt, it will help secure your body inside your vehicle.
  2. Your seat belt can protect you from your airbags. NHTSA notes that the force of your airbag can seriously injure or even kill you if you are not buckled up.
  3. Additionally, if you improperly wear your seat belt and place the strap below your arm, you can put yourself at risk during an accident. Wearing a seat belt like this does not protect you and places you at more of a risk for injuries.

Benefits of Wearing Your Seat Belt

NHTSA reports that if you are driving in the front seat and buckle your seat belt, you can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 45% and moderate to critical injury by 50%. Additionally, if you are driving in a truck and fasten your seat belt, you can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 60% and moderate to critical injury by 65%.

Therefore, wearing your seat belt is a life or death decision. If you do not wear your seat belt, you are putting yourself in a dangerous positon and are risking your life in the event of a car accident. Be smart and buckle up.

Contact Us Today

Our team at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC deals with motor vehicle accidents on a daily basis. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a third party’s negligence, do not hesitate to call us for a free and confidential consultation. Remember, delay can harm your case. Call us at 401-777-7777 or fill out our free online form.