Two people arguing over car accident

The Importance of Seat Belts

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If buckling up when you get into a car is second nature, then you have already taken a big step to keeping yourself safe on the road. Proper seat belt use can not only prevent serious injury, but even save a life. So, all of the hype about the importance of seat belt use really is justified. If you have fallen into the bad habit of not using your seat belt, now is the time to get back to using this important vehicle safety feature. In fact, be sure that all of your passengers have their seat belts securely and properly fastened before you pull out of the driveway. Let’s all do what we can to stay as safe as possible on the roads.

The Importance of Seat Belts

Sure, vehicles these days come standard with more safety features than we could have dreamed about a few years ago. There are now blind spot sensors and tire pressure monitoring systems. There are backup cameras and lane departure prevention systems. Our cars are doing all they can to keep us and others safe, but seat belt use is still important and continues to save lives every day. Did you know that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seat belts reduce a person’s risk of injury or death by about half? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that seat belts save over 15,000 lives each year in the U.S.

You see, seat belts work to keep vehicle occupants inside a vehicle despite jarring impacts with other vehicles or objects. Without the use of this restraining device, it is much more likely that a person will be thrown from a vehicle or violently thrown around inside a vehicle, resulting in serious and even fatal injury. Seat belts are, after all, designed to restrain the most solid parts of the body, the hips, and the shoulders. By placing the seat belt across your lap and up around your shoulders, it not only protects the strongest parts of your body, but it helps spread out the force of collision. That means the force of impact is spread throughout the body as opposed to putting undue strain on just one part.

If you are relying on the airbag alone to cushion you upon impact in the event of a collision, this face is misplaced. Airbags were never intended to work on their own. In fact, they were designed to work in tandem with seat belts. Airbag deployment without seat belt use can even put a vehicle occupant in danger as the force of airbag deployment is significant, to say the least. With a seat belt being used, you get the full benefit of airbags should they be deployed while minimizing the harm that can be sustained by airbag deployment.

If saving yourself from severe bodily harm is not enough of a reason for you to use your seat belt, remember that it is the law. Failing to wear a seat belt can land you with an expensive fine. For your own well-being and to avoid paying such fines, remember to always buckle up.

Personal Injury Attorney

At Hunt Law, we want to see you and your loved ones safe out there on the road. If you are ever injured by a negligent driver, we are here to help you pursue full and fair compensation for the harm you have suffered. Contact us today.