Starting today, the Click It or Ticket campaign is in effect (May 21 – June 3). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hopes to increase seatbelt use across the nation by dispelling some widespread seatbelt myths, such as:
1. Seatbelts can hurt you in crashes, so you are safer not wearing one.
Anything in the car can hurt you in a crash. True, a seatbelt might leave a mark if an accident whips you forward in your set, but it prevents you from flying through the windshield.
2. No need for a seatbelt if you are just driving down the block.
Car accidents can happen you least expect them. In fact, most fatal car accidents occur close to home at speeds under 40 miles per hour. Wearing a seatbelt is always a good idea no matter how far you plan to drive.
3. My car has airbags, so I do not need a seatbelt.
Manufacturers designed seatbelts and airbags to work in tandem. If you are unbuckled, the airbag will not be able to prevent injuries in an accident. In fact, the airbag could make your injuries worse without a seatbelt.
4. If my car is underwater or on fire, the seatbelt would just trap me in.
Even though the chances of your car bring underwater or on fire are minute at best (likelihood of either is about half a percent), chances are you would knocked unconscious in such accident if you were not wearing a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt could prevent head injuries, leaving you alert enough to escape.
Fastening your seatbelt takes mere seconds, and it could save your life in the event of a car accident or semi-truck accident. Take the extra moment to secure your seatbelt, and your children’s. You will thank yourself later.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13