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• #Belt of the long road drivers#

The importance of using seatbelts is no joke. “The thing that started to get people to buckle up in large numbers was simply having state laws with a minimal fine of $25 or $50 for not buckling up,” says Mike Ciccone, senior director of crashworthiness evaluations at Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

#Belt of the long road drivers#

As the history of the seatbelt shows, the most effective way to get drivers and passengers to buckle up is to hit them where it hurts: in their wallets.Īlthough lap belts were offered in cars as early as the 1950s, they were snubbed by many until 1984, when New York became the first state to crack down on car safety. Using air bags in conjunction with seat belts is your best bet.įorget statistics, campaigns or pleas from car manufacturers.

Air bags are a supplemental form of protection and most are designed to deploy in moderate-to-severe frontal crashes, which doesn’t cover all situations. If you’re not wearing your seat belt, you’re in danger of sliding underneath the air bag, colliding with the dashboard or windshield, or being ejected from the front seat. Seat belts secure you in the proper position to benefit from an air bag deployment. #5: My car has air bags, so I don’t need to wear a seat belt.Īir bags are designed to protect a buckled passenger, not an unbuckled one. Even if you’re buckling up 20 times a day, that’s only one minute of your day. That’s less time than it takes to tie your shoe. It only takes about three seconds to strap on your seat belt. #4: I don’t have time to put on my seat belt. Your life and the lives of your passengers are at stake. Did you know that most traffic-related deaths happen within 25 miles from your house and at speeds less than 40 mph, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration? Don’t take any chances.

Routine, seemingly low-key trips can be deceptively dangerous. I don’t need to wear a seat belt around town. #3: I’m just going up the block for groceries. This myth is often associated with fire- and water-related accidents, which account for less than one-half of one percent of all crashes. More importantly, seat belts can actually prevent you from being knocked unconscious, which can increase your chances of escaping during an accident. #2: Seat belts trap you in your vehicle during a crash. Never place the shoulder strap under the arm. The shoulder strap should go between the breasts and off to the side of the belly. Never place the lap belt across your belly. Lap belts should be buckled under the belly and over hips. Pregnant women should wear both the lap belt and the shoulder strap, ensuring a snug fit. A good test is if their knees bend at the edge of the seat when backs and bottoms are pressed against the vehicle seat back.) (Children are typically between the ages of 8 and 12 years old when they are ready for a seat belt. With children, the shoulder belt should fit across the shoulder and chest, and the vehicle lap belt should fit across the upper thighs. If you want to customize your fit, you can find clips and extenders at your local dealer or auto parts store. Technological advancements like polyester webbing and pretensioners, which eliminate slack in the event of a crash, have made seat belts more comfortable for the wearer. Seat belts have come a long way in the comfort department since becoming a mandatory feature in cars in the 1960s. Wearing a seat belt should not cause any discomfort or pressure when adjusted properly. 5 Common Misconceptions About Seatbelts #1: Seat belts are uncomfortable and restrict my movement. So why do millions of people not buckle up on every trip? Let’s debunk five common myths about wearing seat belts that are outdated or just plain wrong. The simple act of wearing a seat belt is the single most effective way to reduce the risk of fatality in a crash. Seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.