Seatbelts and Their Effectiveness
The state of Michigan has a law that requires the use of seatbelts. Traffic enforcers and police can stop and penalize motorists that do not use their seatbelts. There are also special requirements regarding the age or the seating position of the passenger. These include the following:
- The driver and other front seat passengers need to wear a seatbelt.
- Children aged 8 to 15 need to wear seatbelt regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle.
- Children under the age of 4 need to be in a car seat. Children over 4 but under 8 must buckle up at all times.
Some people deliberately ignore seatbelt laws. These laws are in place for a reason, and that is to save lives.
Why are Seatbelts Important?
Seatbelts can prevent many serious injuries in case a vehicular accident occurs. Preventing the user from being ejected from the car, for example, is one of the primary uses of the seatbelt. Another injury that can be avoided by seatbelt use includes head trauma from impact. It also offers protection of vital areas like the face and torso.
Not wearing a seatbelt when an accident occurs can lead to many types of injuries that are preventable. These include the following:
- Head injury: Head injuries that come from vehicular impact are prevalent in car accidents. Seatbelts can prevent this from happening.
- Mental and emotional trauma: Car accidents can place a tremendous amount of emotional strain on the victim. Severe injuries can lead to mental health disorders. Examples of conditions include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and more. Wearing a seatbelt can reduce the chances of severe injuries from occurring.
- Permanent physical damage: Some vehicular accidents can cause permanent physical damage to the victim. Examples include loss of mobility, loss of function, and more. Staying buckled can prevent these.
- Ejection: The most severe impacts can lead to the ejection of the passenger from the vehicle. It can lead to severe injuries.
- Death: The worst cases can lead to death.
Seatbelts save lives all over the world. This is why staying buckled is extremely important.
Seatbelt Statistics
Many surveys and studies focus on how important seatbelts are in saving lives. Some of the most important recent statistics found that:
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 23,714 people died in car accidents in 2016. More than half of the people that died (around 53% to 62%) were not wearing seatbelts.
- Also, according to NHTSA, 14,955 lives were saved by seatbelts in 2017. An additional 2,549 could’ve been saved if they buckled up when the accident occurred.
- In 2017, 37,133 people died in car crashes. Of this number, 47% of the victims were unbuckled at the time of the accident.
This makes it painfully clear that seatbelts are necessary at all times in order to prevent injuries and death.
Facts about Seatbelts and Buckling Up
How exactly can a seatbelt keep you safe? Here are some things to note about seatbelts:
- An airbag is not a replacement for a seatbelt.
Airbags are supposed to work better if you’re wearing a seatbelt. They are not designed to replace the function of a seatbelts in case of a crash.
- Your seatbelt keeps you from being ejected.
Buckling up keeps you in your seat in case an accident occurs. This can prevent injury to you and other people.
- Wear your seatbelt properly.
Always make sure that you are wearing your seatbelt properly. Keep both lap belt and shoulder belt well-secured. Always keep the lap belt by your hip and shoulder belt in front of the shoulders.
- Always check if the seatbelts are working correctly.
Finally, always make sure that the seatbelts are working properly. Get a replacement belt the moment that one breaks. Also, make sure that the straps can be pulled out when needed, and that they resist forceful pulls.
Stay Buckled and Safe During Your Journey
Were you involved in a vehicular accident? Like what we outlined earlier, Michigan has strict laws regarding seatbelt use. With the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can get sound advice regarding your possible claim. We have professionals experienced in these cases and are always ready to help. Give us a call at +1 (517) 347-6900 today.
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