More often, people do not have enough time to react when they get into a car accident. In this case, seat belt safety is the only thing that can save the driver and passengers from serious injuries and death. If you properly buckle up, you can protect yourself in an unexpected case like a car crash. This is also the reason why there are no automobiles are manufactured without seat belts.

Some Facts about Seat Belts and Car Accidents

• In the US, last 2015, more than half of teenagers and adults who died in motor vehicle accidents were not buckled up at the time of the crash.
• By properly using seat belts, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers can be lowered by 45 percent. Buckling up can also reduce the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent.
• In 2015, in the US, almost 14,000 people were saved by seat belt use.
• Around 6.1 percent teenage drivers in the US reported that they rarely or never wear seat belt. However, this is almost a 20 percent decrease from the figures in 1991.
• Drivers and passengers not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to ejected from a car during a crash. 75 percent of these people suffer fatal injuries.

You Shouldn’t Rely on Airbags Alone

It is true that whether you own a right-hand or left hand drive car, your airbags can work even when you’re not wearing your seat belt. However, they won’t give you the best protection during a crash. In the event of an accident, the airbags automatically open when they detect the impact. It takes a split-second for these to open up. When there is no securing force on you, you will be thrown into the rapidly opening bag. This can severely injure you or even kill you due to choking or pressure.

Remember to Properly Wear your Seat Belt

When you check the car manual or stickers in your vehicle, you will see guidelines for correctly using the seat belt. You have to follow them as they are. Remember to secure the shoulder belt and the lap belt across the rib cage and pelvis respectively. These are the parts of you body that are most likely to take the impact in the event of a crash. Ensure that the lap belt is tucked under your stomach, across the hip. Never place the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.

There is a Right Fit of Seat Belt

It is also important to have the right fit to ensure optimum seat belt safety. One of the best road safety tips for long trips is to ensure that you are comfortably seated. If you need a roomier one, you can talk to the dealer and request extenders. You can also use an adjuster if the belt is loose.

Vehicle technology advancements are improving safety among drivers. That said, more and more people are taking protective driving courses. Through the years, the good old seat belt has saved more lives than anything else in traffic accidents.

When it comes to road safety tips, it is also important that you ensure your seat belts are working fine. Doing so can add a lot to your safety. So, when you buy a used Japanese car, make sure that the belts are functioning well. If they are not, do not forget to get them replaced before you hit the road.

Has a seat belt saved your life before?

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