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How Does a Seat Belt Keep You Safe in a Collision?

In a collision or traffic accident, wearing a seat belt could be the difference between life and death. If you are driving alone or with another person, you can reduce your risk of suffering a fatality or significant injury by always wearing a seat belt. Despite new safety enhancements, seat belts remain the most efficient injury-prevention tools in your vehicle. Fortunately, each year more people start to buckle down to be safe. However, that indicates that 17% of vehicle occupants have a high risk of getting hurt or dying in an accident. According to the CDC, seat belts cut the risk of injuries and fatalities in half and saved 12,802 lives in 2014. In the United States, 92% of drivers in 2019 wore seat belts, which is a record high. However, there is still more to be done to guarantee that all drivers and passengers always, without fail, buckle up. Any of the seat belt statistics should be shared with loved ones, friends, and others. By doing this, you can assist these individuals in comprehending the dangers involved in not using a seat belt.

How Does a Seat Belt work?

A seat belt's core concept is straightforward. In a collision, wearing a seatbelt prevents passengers from being ejected from the vehicle. The occupants of a moving vehicle will also stop suddenly. The difference that saves lives is the location on the body where the individual is stopped and how quickly the force is applied. For instance, stopping because a seat belt forces the center of your body to remain in a padded seat is considerably more likely to result in damage than stopping by striking your head on the windshield. There are generally two kinds of seatbelts:

Two connection points- one at each hip, are included on a 2-point seat belt, often known as a lap belt.

Three connection points- one near each hip and one over the shoulder are included on a 3-point seat belt, often known as a lap/shoulder belt.

Lap/shoulder is more common in newer vehicles as safety standards have improved over time. These seat belts are intended to keep both drivers and passengers in their seats while driving. They cross your chest and hips, which are the strongest sections of your body, and are better able to endure impact forces. Seat belts not only keep drivers and passengers inside of their vehicles but also shield passengers from collisions with the dashboard, windshield, and other passengers.

Benefits of Seat Belts

There are several benefits of seat belts. They include:

  • Protects you from an ejection- Accidents, where a person is ejected from the vehicle, are more likely to result in fatalities. By keeping you inside your vehicle and improving your chances of surviving a collision, wear your seat belt.
  • It is required by law- if you choose not to buckle up, you risk getting fined or given a ticket for driving. Additionally, you can also lose your driver's license if you cause a collision or accident while without using a seatbelt.
  • Minimize risk of severe injury- Even cautious drivers might be involved in crashes and auto accidents. Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of suffering a severe injury in the event of one.

How To Correctly Buckle Up

People occasionally overlook the fact that seat belts must be worn correctly to offer the most significant level of safety. You should avoid letting the strap that crosses your lap land on your stomach. Make sure it fits around the hips and upper thigh snugly (but not too firmly). Then the shoulder belt crosses your shoulders and the upper part of your chest. Never tie the strap behind your back or beneath your arms, and avoid letting it cross your face or neck. Seat belt safety is a little different for children. Ensure to follow the correct child safety seat guidelines depending on the child’s weight and height. There are different ways to buckle infant or rear-facing car seats, forward-facing seats, and booster seats. Please consult the provided seat manual for proper instructions on how to secure your child.