DUI Task Force - Why Wear a Seat Belt
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Why wear a seat belt? |
In 2006, 70% of Montana traffic fatalities
were not wearing a seat belt.
That represents 149 Montana sons, daughters, father or mothers
who are dead because they didn't buckle up.
• Vehicles are designed to protect you in the passenger compartment in a crash (it's called, "Room to Live" for good reason). If you are ejected you loose that protection, and are 25 times more likely to die or be permanently injured.
• In a crash, a passenger who is not wearing a seat belt can slam into a belted passenger causing death or permanent injury.
• The law (and common sense) require the use of a seat belt for all passengers riding in a motor vehicle.
• Less than 1% of traffic crashes involved fire or water.
• Even at low speeds, vehicle occupants can be killed or permanently injured in a crash. More crashes occur in town than on the highway because that is where traffic interactions occur---drivers entering and leaving traffic, changing lanes, stopping, turning, etc. To help insure that your short trip to the store doesn't turn into a lengthy stay in the hospital...buckle up for every trip!
• Does the seat belt law impinge on an individuals right to choose? If you are killed or permanently injured in a car crash, does that affect only you? Consider:
- The effect on friends and family who have to watch you suffer, might have to decided to end life-support, or might have to alter their lives to care for you if you suffer a permanent injury.
- The effect on your employer who has to hire, train, and pay a replacement worker while at the same time paying your sick leave.
- The effect of your death upon the community that has to fill the void of the family provider or care giver, helpful neighbor, supportive friend, etc.
That's why most of us wear a seatbelt.
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