Buckling your seatbelt may seem annoying or even uncomfortable at times, but there are many reasons why wearing a seatbelt each and every time you get in the car is important.
Reason #1: Reduce Risk of Death
The most obvious reason for wearing a seatbelt is to reduce your risk of being killed in an automobile accident. According to some research, passengers in the rear seat of an automobile are 44 percent more likely to survive an auto accident if they use both the lap and shoulder safety belts. In vans and SUVs, this figure increases to 73 percent.
Reason #2: Reduce Severity of Injuries
While it is true that you occasionally hear about someone who was injured by their seatbelt or who was stuck in a vehicle due to a seatbelt, the reality is that seatbelts generally help to reduce the risk as well as the severity of injury when involved in an auto accident. Unbuckled drivers and passengers are at risk of being ejected through windows, which significantly increases the chance of injury as well as death.
Reason #3: Avoid Being Ticketed
Of course, thanks to the benefits of wearing a seatbelt, most states throughout the country have laws requiring you to wear a seatbelt. Arizona is one state that does require seatbelts to be worn by all passengers, so getting pulled over without a seatbelt on yourself or your passengers can result in a ticket citation and hefty fine.
At Advanced Spine and Rehab, we want you to stay safe and healthy. So, please, wear your seatbelt at all times!