The simplest, most passive safety device ever invented for travel is the seat belt. Claims of hundreds of thousands of lives saved with their use do not seem to be out of the realm of possibility - so vital are they to preventing an individual from becoming a human projectile in a crash.
Yet, this morning's news includes that of the death of two individuals (not even having reached the age of 'consent') who were thrown from the back of a car when the driver lost control after speeding down the highway (middle of the night scenario).
Now even while government figures state that seat belt use is nearly universal across the country - they fail to mention that nearly 65% of traffic fatalities happen to people who are NOT wearing their seat belt.
In other words, even though it's a law that all vehicle occupants must wear their seat belt - a fair number of Americans simply ignore this requirement. One has to question why. Is there a death wish? Or, as is so often true with younger people, do they really think they are immune to death?
According to some statistics, the cost of medical care for persons who are injured in automobile accidents who were not wearing seatbelts is twice as high as those who otherwise suffer physical trauma of some sort. Their injuries are more severe as well and their recovery time is twice as long.
I can only remind people to make safe choices when you get in your vehicle - and train your children from a young age to do the same. It doesn't always mean they'll make the right choice when left to their own devices...but it may help.
And, for heaven's sake, buckle up.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston car accident lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping injury victims seek civil justice. For a free no obligation consultation with a car accident claim lawyer in Houston call the Baumgartner firm.
