Proper Use of Seatbelts
There was resistance by many individuals when wearing a seatbelt became a requirement in 1985. Over the years, it has become apparent that seatbelts help protect a driver and their passengers from harm during a vehicular accident, and seatbelts save lives. In the first year alone, the number of those who escaped injury increased by 40 percent. Yet, a seatbelt cannot do its job if it is not worn properly.
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Shoulder Strap
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The shoulder strap or the portion of the seatbelt that runs from the shoulder to the hip is of vital importance because it assists in the spread of the collision force across the upper body. The strap should always be worn closely across the chest and never under the arm. It must always lie flat; a twisted or loose belt could result in serious injury from the vehicle's interior or can result in a full ejection from the vehicle.
Lap Belt
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The lap belt is the portion of the seatbelt that lies across the pelvis. Primarily the lap belt tightens assisting the shoulder belt in applying the collision force across the body. If used correctly, the seatbelt allows for minimal injury. The lap belt should lie flat across the hips and should be firm. Often the lap belt is misused and placed across one's midsection. Unfortunately this can cause further injury because force is applied directly to the stomach. A woman who is pregnant should always wear a safety belt, but the lap belt should be placed below her stomach.
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Air Bags
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Air bags used in conjunction with a seatbelt provide the greatest amount of protection. Using a seat belt should never be replaced with the idea that an air bag alone will protect you. An air bag will not prevent ejection from the vehicle, it will only reduce the forward motion of the body and minimize the impact.
Statistics
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Statistics show that more than one half of vehicle fatalities are a result of a victim that was not properly restrained. Those who survive a vehicle accident without a seatbelt are likely to have 50 percent higher medical costs than those who do wear their seatbelt. An estimated 17,000 lives can be saved every year by simply choosing to fasten a seatbelt correctly. In 2008, only 83 percent of people who got into a vehicle used a seatbelt.
Laws
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In the United States there are two kinds of seatbelt laws: primary and secondary. A primary law means that a ticket can be issued simply for not wearing a seatbelt. A secondary law requires that a vehicle be stopped for another reason, such as speeding or failing to stop at a stop sign. Only when the driver has broken another law can a ticket be issued to the driver or passenger for not wearing a seatbelt. Thirty of the 50 states have primary laws. New Hampshire, though, has no law.
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References
- Photo Credit Familiarize Your Kid with seatbelts image by Maciej Zatonski from Fotolia.com
