Seat Belts: How They Save Lives

It's been proved  time and once more, on back roads and superhighways: A life belt will save a life during a automobile accident. in step with the National route Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over fifteen,000 lives area unit saved annually within the us as a result of drivers and their passengers were sporting seat belts once they were in accidents.

Seat Belt Safety: 5-Way Protection

“Seat belts forestall occupants of the vehicle from serious injury in 5 ways that,” says Angela Osterhuber, director of the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury bar Project in Media, Pa. A seat belt:

Keeps the occupants of the vehicle within. “It’s clearly a story that individuals area unit more happy being thrown clear from the crash,” Osterhuber says. “People thrown from a vehicle area unit fourfold additional seemingly to be killed than those that stay within.”
Restrains the strongest components of the body. “Restraints area unit designed to contact your body at its strongest components. For associate older kid and adult, these components area unit the hips and shoulders, that is wherever the life belt ought to be strapped,” Osterhuber says.
Spreads out any force from the collision. “Lap-and-shoulder belts spread the force of the crash over a wide area of the body. By putting less stress on any one area, they can help you avoid serious injury,” Osterhuber says. A shoulder strap also helps keep your head and upper body away from the dashboard, steering wheel, and other hard interior parts of the automobile should you stop suddenly or be hit by another vehicle.
Helps the body to slow down. “What is it that causes injury? A quick change in speed,” Osterhuber says. “Seat belts help extend the time it takes for you to slow down in a crash.”
Protects your brain and spinal cord. A seat belt is designed to protect these two critical areas. “Head injuries may be hard to see immediately, but they can be deadly,” Osterhuber says. Likewise, spinal cord injuries can have serious consequences.
Seat Belt Safety: Buckle Up Correctly

Adjusting your seat belt properly is a must: Getting the right fit is as important as wearing it. The strap that goes across your lap should fit snugly over your hips and upper thigh area. “If the belt rides up on the stomach, it might cause serious injuries during a crash,” Osterhuber says.

Shoulder belts ought to rest firmly across your chest and shoulders between your breasts. Don’t ever let the strap fall across your neck or face and ne'er place the strap beneath your arms or behind your back. “Any one in every of these positions will cause serious injury,” Osterhuber says.