Anyone learning to drive in the past 30 years or so has become accustomed to wearing a seat belt. In most places, passengers throughout the car must also wear a safety belt. Still, many people resist the idea for one reason or another. If you are considering skipping out on wearing a seat belt, consider these five reasons to rethink it.
1. Reduces the Risk of Fatal Injuries
Wearing a universal seat belt is among the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce your chance of dying in a car crash. An appropriately sized safety restraint distributes the force of a crash across your body while also keeping you securely inside the cabin. Combined, this results in substantially fewer fatalities.
2. Protects Against Airbag Impact
Airbags improved driver and passenger safety exponentially. They cushion you and limit contact with hard surfaces, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, and doors. However, they deploy with such force that they may also cause injuries.
Seat belts and airbags are designed to work together for maximum safety. Each plays a role in protecting cabin occupants from a serious crash. The safety belts work by keeping you firmly against the seat, providing protection from airbag deployment. Without one, your airbag may cause serious injury or death.
3. Prevents You From Being Thrown From the Vehicle
Being thrown from a vehicle increases the risk of serious injuries and fatalities. Seat belts help restrain you so this does not happen. Wearing a safety belt every time you get into a car can help you avoid some of the risks associated with being ejected from a car during a crash, such as:
- The force of landing on hard pavement
- Being thrown many feet from a vehicle
- Getting struck by another car
- Being crushed in a rollover crash
4. Sets a Good Example for Passengers
When the driver of a car buckles up and requests all passengers to do the same, it sets a good example. That is why children growing up with parents who always wear seat belts are more likely to wear one as teens and adults.
This carries through in project cars. For example, many classic cars don’t have safety belts since they weren’t required when the cars were manufactured. Taking the initiative to install a Pilot universal seat belt for the driver and passengers shows others that safety is your top priority.
5. Avoids Tickets for Not Wearing One
If for no other reasons, you should always wear a seat belt because it is the law. Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers and front seat passengers to wear a safety restraint. If you do not follow these laws, you can get a ticket, which may affect your driving privileges and possibly raise your car insurance costs.
As you can see, there are many reasons to wear a safety belt. Unfortunately, many people choose to skip wearing a seat belt because they are uncomfortable or poor fitting. However, there are options to improve comfort. If you or your passengers struggle to get a safety belt to fit correctly, consider using a seat belt clip or adjuster to make it more comfortable and safer.