According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of accidental death overall, and the leading cause of death from birth to age 78. In 2016, there were nearly 40,000 deaths on our highways, an average of nearly 100 deaths per day.  Obviously the campaigns to use seat belts and against drunk driving are helping, but we still have a long way to go.

It is estimated that nearly 30 million people do not wear seat belts in the United States.  Current seat belt usage in the United States is 90.1%.  10% of the population have chosen not to protect themselves from injury should they be involved in a vehicle accident. Which category are you in?

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has done studies showing that manual lap and shoulder belts are 45 percent effective in preventing fatalities and furthermore, that they are 50 percent effective in preventing critical injuries.

You can help eliminate vehicle accidents by driving defensively. But most of all we can limit our injuries by remembering to buckle up each time we get behind the wheel. Encourage each of your passengers to wear their seat belts as well. The split second decision to buckle up could mean the difference between life and death should you be involved in an accident.

Here is a statistic that may convince you to buckle up — the forward force of an individual weighing 200 pounds involved in an accident at a speed of 45 m.p.h. is 8550 pounds!

Seat belts go even further — remember that most heavy equipment comes with a seat belt. Each employee who operates this equipment must understand the OSHA requirement that if you are seated and running the equipment, you must wear the seat belt that has been provided.

BUCKLE UP — IT’S THE LAW. THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN

PDF version is available through the link below.

Safety Moment – Seat Belt Safety