What if your bad habit ended up costing you your life?
Although most people drive with a seat belt a habitually, millions of adults do not wear their seat belt. With more people on the road than ever before, this bad habit is costing many people their lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did a study that revealed that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among individuals in the U.S. ages 5-34. Seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about 50% making them an invaluable safety feature in vehicles. Although airbags provide added protection, they are not a substitute for seat belts. The use of the airbag and the seat belt together provide the maximum protection if involved in an automobile accident.
With so many accidents occurring ever year, it is always best to use good safety practices. There are many other drivers on the road that could put your life in danger, even if you drive safe. In states where there is primary enforcement for seat belts, more lives are saved than in those states that are not. Primary enforcement allows police officers to pull someone over and issue them a ticket if someone in the vehicle is not wearing their seat belt.
Here are the best methods to ensure that more people are protected on the road:
- Use your seat belt every time you get in the vehicle no matter how short the trip may be. This sets good habits and also is a good example to children.
- Encourage your friends and passengers to wear their seat belt whenever you are driving with them.
- Place children in the back seat with a seat belt and never allow them to sit in the front seat.
- Support seat belt laws with visible police presence and awareness campaigns.
For more information on seat belt safety you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.