Seat Belts Save Lives
America recently achieved an important milestone for road safety: an all-time record seat belt use rate of 90 percent. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in the first three decades of American’s lives. In 2009 alone, crashes killed over 33,000 people and injured another 2.2 million.
Most drivers and passengers killed in crashes are unrestrained. 53% of drivers and passengers killed in car crashes in 2009 were not wearing restraints.
Seat belts prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash. People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash. More than 3 out of 4 people who are ejected during a fatal crash die from their injuries.
Seat belts dramatically reduce risk of death and serious injury. Among drivers and front-seat passengers, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%.
Seat belts are the single most effective safety technology in the history of the automobile. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study of lives saved by vehicle technologies found that, between 1960 and 2012, seat belts saved more lives than all other vehicle technologies combined, including air bags, energy-absorbing steering assemblies, and electronic stability control.
We have made enormous progress in increasing seat belt use, but far too many people are still dying because they are not buckled up during crashes. Before you even start your vehicle, you and everyone in your vehicle should be buckled up—every trip, every time.
Northwest Women’s Injury Law is an Edmonds, Washington based personal injury law firm devoted to helping women who have been injured in auto accidents. We understand that injury and recovery is different for women. Their injuries, losses, and outcomes are unique. We seek to revolutionize the way women are represented through the entire personal injury process. As part of our efforts, we want to empower women to protect themselves from injury whenever possible. Always wearing a seat belt significantly reduces your risk of injury. Protect yourself. Protect your family. Always buckle up.