Seat Belts : Your Freedom or Your Life ?

Those against laws regulating the use of safety belts argue that people are intelligent enough to make their own decisions. They should be free to choose. They also complain that belts are not comfortable, are too tight and rumple their clothes.

On the other hand we have local and national governments claiming that seat belts save lives, not only those of "delinquent" drivers but also those of passengers. In addition, serious injuries are avoided and economic losses are minimized.

There are lots of different opinions and feelings on this issue. However statistics do not lie. According to data compiled by the NHTSA for 2002, 59% of the 33,000 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in an accident were not wearing a seat belt. It is estimated that more than 14,000 lives had been saved with safety belt use.

Here are more statistics and estimates compiled by the NHTSA :

• In 2002, if all vehicle occupants over the age of 4 had been wearing safety belts in 7,153 more people would be alive
• In 2002, 73 percent of passenger car occupants who were totally ejected from the vehicle were killed
• In 2000, the total economic cost of motor vehicle accidents in the US was equal to 2.3% of Gross Domestic Product or almost $820 per US resident

Are those facts significant enough ?

Wearing a seat belt will significantly increase the chance of surviving a car accident. Providing freedom of choice on wearing seat belts without threat of economic loss is a luxury that statistics do not justify. The risk of major injuries during a serious impact when no safety belts are worn increases twenty-five times.

Today’s belts are adjustable. Read your owner's manual to ensure the belts are worn properly ... with total safety and comfort. The shoulder belt should never be worn under the arm or behind the head. That position almost guarantees injury in an accident. Seat belts are positioned to give you a range of useful movement and then to hold you in place should you exceed that range.

Statistics in the use of safety belts, injury prevention, and lives lost are crystal clear. You have a high chance of being in a car accident and a safety belt will provide you with tremendous protection.

It’s your call : Your Life or Your Freedom of Choice.