Why You Need to Wear Your Seatbelt
What is the first thing you do when you get into a vehicle? Hopefully you answered “buckle your seatbelt.” Your seatbelt is one of the most important safety features in your car or truck. Seatbelts are designed to prevent serious injuries and even save lives.
Even if your vehicle has air bags, they are not enough to protect you; in fact, the force of an air bag could kill you if you’re not wearing a seatbelt. Also, proper use is essential. Improperly wearing a seat belt, such as putting the strap below your arm, puts you at risk in a crash.
Seatbelt use is the right thing to do. It’s also the law. Here are some reasons why you should wear a seatbelt:
- Injury prevention. Seatbelts help keep passengers and drivers secured in their seats during accidents, preventing them from being thrown around or ejected from the vehicle. This significantly reduces the risk of severe injuries.
- Fatality reduction. Studies show that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45% and to back-seat passengers by 25%. This makes them a crucial component of vehicle safety.
- Legal requirement: In most places, like Texas, wearing a seatbelt is mandatory. Failing to do so can result in fines and penalties, so wearing one can help avoid legal trouble.
- Works with air bags. Seatbelts and air bags are designed to work together. Without a seatbelt, the force of an air bag can actually cause injury. Wearing a seatbelt helps ensure that air bags deploy in a safe and effective way.
- Prevents whiplash. Even in minor collisions, seatbelts help stabilize the body, reducing the risk of whiplash and other minor injuries by restricting movement.
Why Don’t People Wear Seatbelts?
While wearing a seatbelt is the safe thing to do, many people refuse to do so for various reasons, such as the following:
- Discomfort. For some people, seatbelts can feel restrictive and uncomfortable, especially during long trips or for those with certain health conditions. However, seatbelt adjustments and seatbelt extenders are available to improve comfort.
- Potential for minor injuries. In certain situations, seatbelts can cause bruising or abrasions, especially during high-impact accidents. While these injuries are usually minor compared to what could occur without a seatbelt, they can still be uncomfortable.
- Inability to escape. In rare cases, seatbelts can hinder escape from a vehicle during specific types of emergencies, like when a car is submerged in water or on fire. However, the chances of such incidents are very low, and safety experts generally recommend wearing seatbelts.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Wearing a seatbelt is not only the safe thing to do but it’s also the law. Make sure to always wear one while in a vehicle.
A Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC understands the stress and hardship involved in a car crash. We are devoted to representing injured victims and their loved ones. Call 281-347-3247 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.
Source:
nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/seat-belts#:~:text=Being%20buckled%20up%20during%20a,vehicle%20is%20almost%20always%20deadly.&text=If%20you%20don’t%20wear,Learn%20about%20air%20bag%20safety.
