The national “Click It Or Ticket” campaign has kicked off with more than 10,000 agencies participating around the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is partnering with local law enforcement agencies to enforce seatbelt laws. Summer is a popular time of the year for road trips so drivers and passengers are reminded to buckle up as this season carries a heightened risk of being injured in a Rhode Island car accident.
How Do Seatbelts Save Lives?
According to NHTSA, in 2015, seatbelts saved an estimated 13,941 people from death. Between 2011 and 2015, seatbelts saved nearly 64,000 lives. Seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45 percent and light-truck occupants by 60 percent. Even if you are driving right down the street, a fastened seatbelt can save your life.
Of the 35,092 people killed in auto accidents in 2015, 48 percent were not buckled up. In total, seatbelts have saved 344,448 lives since 1975, which is when NHTSA first began to record this data. If you are in a car accident and not wearing your seatbelt, you may get ejected from the vehicle and suffer catastrophic or even fatal injuries. While a seatbelt won’t completely shield you from injury, it will keep you in the car, which can be the difference between injury and death.
How Do I Wear A Seatbelt Properly?
When you wear a seatbelt, it is important that you wear it properly. When you wear your seatbelt, make sure your lap belt and shoulder belt are secured across the pelvis and the rib cage, which are able to withstand greater crash forces compared to the rest of your body. Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck. The lap belt should rest across your hips and not your stomach. It is also important that you never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under an arm, even though this is a common practice. Children should always be placed in a car seat that is appropriate for their age, height and weight.
What Are Some Tips On Safe Use Of Seat Belts?
- Always buckle up before driving in a car. This goes for the driver and all passengers, whether you are going on a long road trip or just around the block.
- A seat belt that works properly will keep you at a safe distance from the dashboard and the airbag.
- Children should never sit in the front passenger seat, at least until they turn 13.
- Secure all young children in child safety seats and make sure these seats are properly installed.
- If you are pregnant and riding in a vehicle, make sure the safety belt is snug against your hips. Loose belts can cause broken ribs or injuries to your abdominal area. Never put a lap belt across your stomach when you are pregnant!
Contact Us Today!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it is important that you take several steps to ensure your legal rights are protected. Most importantly, make sure you get medical attention immediately, as our main concern is your health and safety. “You focus on your recovery, and we will focus on your case.” Secondly, file a police report and gather any evidence you can from the scene, including photographs and other physical evidence. Finally, contact an experienced Rhode Island car accident lawyer who will fight for your rights and help ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your losses. Call us toll-free at 1-800-992-6878 for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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