Besides the fact that the law requires seat belt use, here are ten reasons why you should wear your seat belt based on statistics from a James Mason University study:
- One in five drivers are involved in an auto accident each year.
- Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for those under the age of 45.
- Close to 35,000 people die each year in auto accidents, half of whom would have been saved by the use of seat belts.
- For every one percent increase in the use of seat belts, 172 lives are saved.
- Seat belts reduce auto accident fatalities by 60-70 percent.
- A person is 25 times more likely to die when thrown from a vehicle.
- Children are often killed by being crushed by unrestrained adults.
- The most common injuries to children in car accidents are head injuries resulting in brain damage, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy or death.
- Over 80% of child fatalities in auto accidents would have been prevented by the proper use of seat belts or car seats. Unfortunately, less than ten percent of children are properly restrained.
- Seat belts may provide the greatest and only protection against DUI drivers.
A seat belt may very well save your life in the case of a car accident. If that is not enough, it may save your child. Just as importantly, it could minimize physical injuries.There many more good reasons for wearing a seat belt and none that would suggest otherwise.