It’s so easy for teens to get into cars, and forget something as simple as buckling their seat belt. This easy but important step, takes at most three seconds but can be disregarded completely. Some may think a seat belt is unnecessary, or just think, what are the chances I’m going to be in an accident?
No matter the distance you’re driving, putting on a seat belt is a deciding factor in whether you want to save your life or the life of others in case of a catastrophic accident. Although accidents may seem rare, why not do something to prevent as much damage or life altering effects as possible?
The first reason for wearing a seatbelt is simply the law. In Iowa, both passengers in the front seat are required to wear a seat belt, and all passengers up to eighteen must wear them in the rear seats. Besides the law, seat belts are life savers, literally. In fact, you are five time more likely to die if you are ejected from a crash due to not wearing a belt. According to National Safety Council, almost 14,000 lives were saved in 2015 due to seat belts.
“I always wear a seatbelt when I am driving or in the front seat. When I am in the back I sometimes do not buckle simply because it’s uncomfortable and I want to talk to the people in the front,” stated a student at CCA.
Buckling in the back seat is just as important as buckling in the front. Not only are you affecting your own chances of survival when you choose to not buckle, you are affecting everyone else’s in the vehicle. If ejected from your seat, there is a chance to hit the front or back passengers, and potentially kill them.
When you’re not wearing a seat belt, you are thirty times more likely to be ejected from a crashed vehicle, and more than three out of four people ejected will die from their injuries.
The risks and statistics seem too dangerous to be taken lightheartedly. Buckling is important, and some teens do not seem to recognize the consequences of not wearing one. To potentially save yours or others lives, take a couple seconds to buckle up, it will be worth it in the long run.