Wednesday, May 12, 2010

How Seat Belts Save Lives

Seat Belts Control Body Movements








Seat belts, when used properly, reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries that result with an automobile accident. When a crash occurs, a belted passenger is prevented from being thrown against the steering wheel, dashboard and windshield as well as from being ejected completely from the automobile. In many crashes, individuals who are thrown from vehicles wind up with the vehicles landing on top of them. Sudden stops and collisions typically result in injuries to the head and body. By wearing seat belts, the motion of the body is both controlled and restricted, which reduces head contact with interior and exterior objects, as well as excessive neck activity that is often associated with neck, back and spinal injuries.


Seat Belts and Speed


The factor of speed is often misunderstood in relation to automobile accidents. People often think that if you are not going fast when a collision occurs, you will suffer minimal injuries. On the contrary, a fatality can occur with vehicles traveling as slowly as 12 mph.


Seat Belts Reduce Chance of Injury


Some people don't wear a seat belt because they fear being trapped in the vehicle in the event of a wreck. However, the chances are greater of being killed or critically injured from being thrown from an automobile than it is to be trapped inside a wrecked vehicle. In addition, those who refrain from wearing seat belts because of a fear of being trapped should consider that the majority of people thrown from cars typically suffer injuries that are either irreversible or life-threatening. Individuals who survive a car crash and who were not wearing seat belts usually receive more serious injuries and require longer hospital stays. Additionally, people involved in automobile crashes that do not wear seat belts usually incur more medical expenses.


Seat Belts and Auto Insurance


There's also an added bonus for many who elect to wear their seat belts. It could lower auto insurance premiums. It's prudent to note that some insurance companies have the ability to increase insurance premiums in the event an insured member receives a ticket for failure to wear a seat belt.

Tags: from being, Seat Belts, thrown from, wear seat, wearing seat, wearing seat belts, being thrown