SEATBELT

SAFETY

 

Every year, thousands of people die in traffic crashes. When a there’s a crash, vehicles are forced to come to a stop while the passengers are still traveling at the vehicles original speed. Unbelted passengers are flung around until they slam into the steering wheel, windshield or another part of the vehicle.

Seat belts are your best protection in a crash. They are built so that the forces in a crash are resisted by the strongest areas of your body which are the bones of your hips, shoulders and chest (where the straps touch your body). They keep you in place so that you are less likely to be flung around the vehicle or into other passengers. They also keep you from being thrown out of the vehicle.

The Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Wear Your Seat Belt

· Seat belts can save your life in a crash.

· Seat belts can reduce your risk of a serious injury in a crash.

· Thousands of the people who die in car crashes each year might still be alive if they had been wearing their seat belts.

· It's easy. It only takes three seconds.

How to Properly Wear your Seatbelt

· Sit all the way back in the seat. Your knees should bend naturally at the seat edge.

· The lap belt or lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt should be adjusted so it is low and snug across the lap area on the upper legs or thighs. Never across your stomach!!!

· The shoulder belt should cross the chest and collarbone and be snug. The belt should never cross the front of the face OR be placed behind your back OR under the arm.

· If the lap and shoulder belt do not fit you right now, you should be using a belt-positioning booster seat! A booster seat raises your sitting height, which enables the lap and shoulder belt to fit you properly.