One of the most prudent decisions you can make in life is to consistently utilize your seat belt whenever you are in a vehicle, whether as a driver or passenger.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that approximately 92% of individuals adhere to this safety measure daily. In 2023, the national seat belt usage rate among Americans stood at 91.9%.
For the roughly 10% who opt not to fasten their seat belts, the repercussions can be, and frequently are, fatal.
In 2021, there were 26,325 fatalities among passenger vehicle occupants, with approximately 50% of those individuals—based on confirmed seat belt usage—not being restrained. Recent data from 2017 indicates that seat belts saved around 14,955 lives and could have prevented an additional 2,549 fatalities if properly utilized.
The ramifications of forgoing or incorrectly using a seat belt are severe and dire, as evidenced by the following:
- Wearing a seat belt helps keep you securely positioned inside your vehicle, whereas failing to do so can lead to complete ejection during a collision, often resulting in fatalities.
- Relying solely on airbags for protection is insufficient; in reality, the impact of an airbag can cause serious injuries or fatalities if you are not restrained.
- Improper usage of a seat belt, such as placing the strap below your arm, endangers both you and your children in the event of a crash.
However, the advantages of buckling up are unequivocal:
- By wearing a seat belt in the front seat of a passenger car, you can decrease the risk of fatal injury by 45% and moderate to critical injury by 50%.
- In a light truck, fastening your seat belt can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60% and moderate to critical injury by 65%.
Due to these compelling statistics, the NHTSA offers the following guidelines for safe seat belt use:
- Ensure that the lap belt and shoulder belt are fastened across your pelvis and rib cage, as these areas are more capable of withstanding crash forces compared to other body parts.
- Position the shoulder belt in the middle of your chest and away from your neck.
- The lap belt should lie across your hips, not your stomach.
- Avoid placing the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.
For further details on seat belt use for children and pregnant individuals, please visit [ppp1].
Numerous misconceptions surround seat belt safety, some of which are debunked by the NHTSA on its website. Nevertheless, the truth remains that fastening your seat belt is the most effective measure you can take to safeguard yourself in the event of a collision.
Moreover, in Georgia, it is not only a safety measure but also a legal requirement, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Seat belt laws are primary for drivers and front seat passengers, and secondary for rear seat passengers. These laws encompass drivers and passengers aged 15 and above in all seating positions. Additionally, child restraint laws mandate that all children aged 5 and below be secured in a car seat or booster seat.
— The Valdosta (Georgia) Daily Times