Wearing your seatbelt whenever you enter your vehicle should be second nature. However, some people still need to understand the value of wearing a seat belt. This puts them in greater danger because the vehicle’s safety systems can’t fully protect them if an accident occurs. This blog explores the benefits of wearing a seat belt while driving.
Did You Know: – Seat Belts Existed Before Cars Did
Seat belts existed before modern cars, initially employed in horse-drawn carriages. They have been standard in American vehicles since 1958, and laws require them in every state.
Driving has become safer as automotive technology has advanced. Some advanced innovations help to avoid accidents and save lives. But, wearing a seat belt is still the most effective way to prevent injuries in collision.
Facts: How Many Lived Saved by Seat Belts?
The National Safety Council estimates that between 1975 and 2017, seat belts saved 374,276 deaths.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims that utilizing the lap and shoulder can significantly reduce the risk of:
- Approx 45% of passenger car occupant deaths occur in the front seat
- 50% of the front seat passenger car occupants had serious to severe injuries
- Front Seat Light truck passenger deaths by 60%
- 65% of front seat light vehicle occupants sustained moderate to severe injuries
Benefits of Seat Belts Usage
Promotes Proper Posture
Your seat belt maintains you in the proper position if your vehicle skids or spins, allowing you to make fast moves to prevent an accident. Drivers not using seat belts will likely lose control of their vehicle, leading to accidents.
Reduce the Risk of Ejection:
Accidents in which people are ejected from the vehicle result in significant deaths. Wearing seat belts keeps you within the vehicle, increasing your chances of surviving a crash.
Avoiding Legal Trouble:
Not Wearing a seatbelt is not only dangerous, but it is also illegal in many places. If you are detected, you may face fines and other legal consequences. Keep yourself safe and respect the regulations by always wearing a seatbelt when driving.
Impact force distribution for Safety:
When you are in a collision, your lap and shoulder belt distribute the impact force over the strongest regions of your body. This reduces your chance of getting injured compared to having a direct impact on your head, chest, or abdomen, which is more likely if you are not wearing a seatbelt.
Align your body with the vehicle’s speed:
If you are not wearing a seat belt, your body will continue to move after an accident at the same speed as your vehicle. Depending on the collision’s condition, this may impact the steering wheel, dashboard, or side window. A seat belt keeps you linked to your seat, allowing your body to accelerate alongside the vehicle if it stops suddenly.
Protect your brain and spine:
An accident can result in brain damage ranging from minor concussions to potentially severe injuries like coup-countercoup and diffuse brain injuries. Similarly, your spine is vulnerable, as even mild spinal cord injuries can have catastrophic effects.
Promote a Safety Culture:
Wear your seatbelt to promote a safe culture. This simple step fosters protective driving practices beyond merely behind the wheel. It enhances the awareness of the significance of safety for oneself and others, which may influence decisions about drinking, driving, texting while driving, and other hazardous activities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, seat belts are not only a legal requirement but also an essential measure of personal safety. They minimize ejections and lower injury risks, eventually saving lives. So, remember to buckle up before each journey and encourage others to do the same.
Let’s make roadways safer for everyone!!
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