Wearing a seatbelt is one of the most important safety measures a person can take while driving or riding in a vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that seatbelts have saved over 14,000 lives in 2018 alone.
Seatbelts are designed to keep drivers and passengers in their seats during a crash, which helps to reduce the risk of injury or death. The force of a crash can cause a person to be thrown from the vehicle, which greatly increases the chances of serious injury or death. By wearing a seatbelt, the person is held securely in place, which helps to protect them from being thrown from the vehicle.
Seatbelts also help to distribute the force of a crash across the strongest parts of the body, such as the hips and shoulders. This helps to reduce the risk of injuries to the head, neck, and spine. Additionally, seatbelts are designed to be worn tightly against the body, which helps to absorb some of the force of the crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seatbelt usage in the United States has steadily increased over the past few decades. In the early 1980s, seatbelt usage was around 14%. By 2019, seatbelt usage had risen to nearly 90%.
The NHTSA also estimates that seatbelts saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2019. Additionally, it is estimated that an additional 2,549 lives could have been saved if all passenger vehicle occupants 5 and older involved in fatal crashes had worn their seat belts.
However, seatbelt usage varies by state, with some states having higher usage rates than others. For example, in 2019, the state with the highest seatbelt usage rate was California, with a usage rate of 96.8%. The state with the lowest usage rate was New Hampshire, with a usage rate of 80.7%.
Seatbelt usage also varies by demographic. For example, according to the NHTSA, seatbelt usage is generally higher among older adults, men, and people with higher levels of education and income. On the other hand, seatbelt usage is generally lower among younger adults, teens, and rural residents.
In addition to protecting the driver and passengers, seatbelts also play a role in protecting other drivers and pedestrians. When a person is thrown from a vehicle during a crash, they can become a projectile that can cause damage to other vehicles or pedestrians. By wearing a seatbelt, the person is kept inside the vehicle, which helps to reduce the risk of injury to others.
In conclusion, seatbelts are an essential safety feature in any vehicle. They help to keep drivers and passengers safe during a crash, by reducing the risk of injury or death. Seatbelts are also important for protecting other drivers and pedestrians. Therefore, it is crucial for everyone to wear a seatbelt every time they are in a vehicle, whether it's as a driver or a passenger.
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