AAA Arizona:

 

By Jason Reynolds

Traffic Safety Specialist

 

Aim To Restrain

 

The New Year is here, and along with the reflections of another year passed come the resolutions for the year to come.  What is on your list?  Here are a few resolutions others have adopted:

 

-Say “Hello” to someone at school you don’t normally talk to.
-Read more and watch less T.V.
-Clean out your room and donate to charity.
-Walk the dog more often.
-Try a new hairstyle.
-Adopt a “green” lifestyle.

 

Another resolution that many should consider is to buckle up every time they get in a vehicle.  In 2007, the nation saw 41,059 traffic fatalities, of which almost 29,000 were vehicle occupants.  More than half of the passengers and drivers that died in these wrecks were not wearing their seatbelts.  As startling as these statistics are, 19 percent of Arizonans are still riding unrestrained.  That’s more than 1.1 million people!  (NHTSA)

 

So why doesn’t everyone buckle up?  Here are some of the top reasons:

 

They are simply forgetful or too lazy – There is never a better time to start a good habit than in the New Year!  Nobody plans on crashing their car; however, there are an estimated 6 million collisions each year.  Take the high road and make buckling up a first priority upon entering a vehicle (tape a reminder note to the dashboard if you need to!).  Eventually, using the seatbelt will become second nature and you won’t even realize you are doing it. 

 

They are only driving a short distance – A quick trip to a friend’s house may very easily become a journey that will forever change your life.  More than half of reported crashes occur within 5 miles of home, while only 1 percent occurs 50 or more miles from home.  Distance should not be a factor in deciding to wear a seatbelt.  Buckle up and avoid a detour to the hospital. 

 

They are expressing their freedom of choice – Some believe that using a seatbelt is a personal choice and that they should not be required by law to wear them.  It is important to realize that someone exhibiting their “right” not to buckle up interferes with your right to be safe.  In a collision, an unbuckled passenger becomes a life-threatening projectile that your seatbelt can’t protect you from.  Guard your right to life and give unbuckled passengers a new choice – buckle up or get out. 

 

They find seatbelts are uncomfortable – Some choose to challenge the statistics and decide that comfort outweighs the risk of driving unrestrained.  In many cases, an uncomfortable seatbelt simply needs to be adjusted.  A properly fitting seatbelt should be snug against your collarbone and chest with the lap belt crossing your hip bones, as these areas provide stronger support and protect your internal organs. Most cars allow you to raise or lower the shoulder belt to fit your height.  In other cases, accessories can be used to increase comfort, like a seatbelt extender (just be sure the accessory has been crash-tested and deemed safe).  Regardless of the validity of the discomfort, being thrown through the windshield in a wreck is bound to be more uncomfortable than a seatbelt.

 

They have a car equipped with air bags – Have you noticed that cars with air bags still have seatbelts?  That’s because air bags are meant to be used in conjunction with seatbelts.  While air bags do offer protection, they should never replace use of seatbelts.  Seatbelts saved 15,147 lives in 2007, compared to the 2,788 lives saved by air bags.  Also, understand that depending on the crash, air bags may not always deploy. 

Whatever the reason, now is the time to make the commitment.  Buckling up is a resolution that every person should adopt.  Wearing a seatbelt properly can reduce the risk of dying in a car crash by 45 percent!  All it takes is two seconds to click it.  Those two seconds may just give you another full year and many, many more to come!  It might just save your life!

 

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!