Why Wear Seat Belts? Why wear seatbelts?

The Excuses "I can't move with those belts on - they're so uncomfortable!" "I only drive around town; how can I get hurt going 25 miles per hour?” "I'm a good driver. I've never had an accident." "It's better to be thrown out of the car than be trapped in by a seatbelt."

The Facts Newer seatbelt design allows for total freedom of motion while driving. The latching device that secures the belt only goes into effect when the car jolts abruptly, as in an accident. People who are thrown from cars are 25 times more likely to be killed than if they had been held securely in their seats. In the unlikely event your car catches fire or is submerged, seatbelts can keep you from getting "knocked out" and greatly improve your chances of escape. Newer seatbelt design allows for total freedom of motion while driving. The latching device that secures the belt only goes into effect when the car jolts abruptly, as in an accident. People who are thrown from cars are 25 times more likely to be killed than if they had been held securely in their seats. In the unlikely event your car catches fire or is submerged, seatbelts can keep you from getting "knocked out" and greatly improve your chances of escape.

The Facts The majority of all car accidents occur within 25 miles of home. 80% of all serious injuries and fatalities occur in cars going 40 miles per hour or slower. You may be a good driver, but there are situations beyond your control such as weather and road conditions (not to mention other drivers) that can affect your safety. The majority of all car accidents occur within 25 miles of home. 80% of all serious injuries and fatalities occur in cars going 40 miles per hour or slower. You may be a good driver, but there are situations beyond your control such as weather and road conditions (not to mention other drivers) that can affect your safety.

The Facts Seat belts are 57 percent effective in preventing traumatic and fatal brain injuries. Brain and chest injuries are the most frequent cause of death in collisions without seatbelts. In a crash, unrestrained occupants of a car keep moving during the time the car takes to stop. They are still moving forward at their original speed when they slam into the steering wheel, windshield or other part of the car. Seat belts are 57 percent effective in preventing traumatic and fatal brain injuries. Brain and chest injuries are the most frequent cause of death in collisions without seatbelts. In a crash, unrestrained occupants of a car keep moving during the time the car takes to stop. They are still moving forward at their original speed when they slam into the steering wheel, windshield or other part of the car.

The Facts Simple but important principles underlie the effectiveness of seat belts. In a crash they: Increase the limit it takes the occupant to stop. Spread the force of impact over a large portion of the body. Minimize contact with the vehicle's interior. Protect occupants from being thrown out. Research has found that lap/shoulder safety belts, when used, reduced the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent. Simple but important principles underlie the effectiveness of seat belts. In a crash they: Increase the limit it takes the occupant to stop. Spread the force of impact over a large portion of the body. Minimize contact with the vehicle's interior. Protect occupants from being thrown out. Research has found that lap/shoulder safety belts, when used, reduced the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent.

The Facts Ejection from the vehicle is one of the most injurious events that can happen to a person in a crash. In fatal crashes, 73 percent of passenger car occupants who were totally ejected from the vehicle were killed. Safety belts are effective in preventing total ejections. Only one percent of the occupants reported to have been using restraints were totally ejected, compared with 20 percent of the unrestrained occupants. Ejection from the vehicle is one of the most injurious events that can happen to a person in a crash. In fatal crashes, 73-percent of passenger car occupants who were ejected from the vehicle were killed. Safety belts are effective in preventing total ejections. Only one percent of the occupants reported to have been using restraints were ejected, compared with 20 percent of the unrestrained occupants.

The Facts According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, over the past 10 years, safety belts have prevented some 55,600 deaths; 1,300,000 injuries and saved more than $105 billion in costs. Among passenger vehicle occupants over 4 years old, safety belts saved an estimated 10,414 lives in 1996. According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, over the past 10 years, safety belts have prevented some 55,600 deaths, 1,300,000 injuries and saved more than $105 billion in economic costs. Among passenger vehicle occupants over 4 years old, safety belts saved an estimated 10,414 lives in 1996.

Why Wear Seat Belts? You decide!

Why wear seatbelts? Many states now have laws requiring drivers and passengers alike to wear seatbelts or pay a stiff price. Sadly, many people still resist using seat belts and pay an even stiffer price - their lives. If you're still unconvinced that seat belts can mean the difference between life and death in an auto accident, take a moment to consider the following information.

Consider This Department of Defense Instructions 6055.4 states – E3.12.1.1. All personnel, as listed in paragraph 2.2. of this Instruction, operating or riding in motor vehicles shall wear safety belts. This does not apply to passengers riding in buses not equipped with safety belts. Reference (c) specifically requires Federal employees to use seat belts while on official business. The DoD Components may develop and approve safety requirements for mission and tactical operations where normal occupant protection requirements may not be appropriate. All personnel, as listed in paragraph 2.2. (see below) of this Instruction, operating or riding in motor vehicles shall wear safety belts. This does not apply to passengers riding in buses not equipped with safety belts. Reference (c) specifically requires Federal employees to use seat belts while on official business. The DoD Components may develop and approve safety requirements for mission and tactical operations where normal occupant protection requirements may not be appropriate. 2.2. Encompasses all DoD personnel and operations worldwide during peacetime and military deployments. These provisions consider limitations on the applicability of 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq., E.O. 12196 and 29 CFR 1960 (references (d), (f), and (g)) to the Department of Defense. These limitations include the exemptions or exceptions from Department of Labor (DoL) oversight for military personnel, military-unique operations and workplaces, specific conditions governed by other statutory authorities, and, in certain overseas areas, conditions governed by international agreements.

Consider This And – E3.12.1.2. Child safety seats shall be used on DoD installations. Installation traffic safety programs shall be consistent with State or local child safety seat laws. If there is no applicable local requirement, the installation traffic safety program shall specify age, weight, or other criteria for child safety seat use. The DoD Components are highly encouraged to sponsor child safety seat loaner programs. Child safety seats shall be used on DoD installations. Installation traffic safety programs shall be consistent with State or local child safety seat laws. If there is no applicable local requirement, the installation traffic safety program shall specify age, weight, or other criteria for child safety seat use. The DoD Components are highly encouraged to sponsor child safety seat loaner programs. Germany has a child passenger safety law!

Consider This And – E3.12.1.3. The vehicle operator shall be responsible for informing passengers of the safety belt requirement. The senior occupant shall be responsible for ensuring enforcement. For civilian employees, if the senior occupant cannot be ascertained, the driver shall be responsible for enforcement. The vehicle operator shall be responsible for informing passengers of the safety belt requirement. The senior occupant shall be responsible for ensuring enforcement. For civilian employees, if the senior occupant cannot be ascertained, the driver shall be responsible for enforcement.

Consider This And – E3.12.1.4. All nonuse of occupant protective devices shall be enforced as a primary traffic violation. Each DoD Component that regulates operating privileges shall establish procedures for applicable mandatory administrative or disciplinary action, to include the suspension of operating privileges on DoD installations and in areas subject to military traffic supervision. Traffic points shall be assessed as required by local laws and regulations All nonuse of occupant protective devices shall be enforced as a primary traffic violation. Each DoD Component that regulates operating privileges shall establish procedures for applicable mandatory administrative or disciplinary action, to include the suspension of operating privileges on DoD installations and in areas subject to military traffic supervision. Traffic points shall be assessed as required by local laws and regulations

Consider This Finally – E3.12.5. Educational Programs. Education programs shall be developed to ensure military and civilian personnel are aware of the requirements in this Instruction. Educational Programs. Education programs shall be developed to ensure military and civilian personnel are aware of the requirements in this Instruction. You have been educated!

Why Wear Seat Belts? It’s the law! Odds of surviving a crash are in your favor It makes sense! It’s the law! But, it also makes sense!

Drive defensively and use your seatbelts! Safe and Secure Drive defensively and use your seatbelts! When all is said and done, it pays to remember that seatbelts were designed with your safety and security in mind. Seatbelts, like safety seats for children, can make a life and death difference if you or your loved ones are involved in an automobile accident. Drive preventively and use your seatbelt! The life you save may be your own.