The top five things to know about buckling up:
Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.
Seat belts save approximately 15,000 lives each year. While most people wear their seat belts, nearly half of people who die in crashes are not belted. (IIHS)
If you are completely thrown from a vehicle during a crash, it is almost always fatal. If you do survive, it’s gonna hurt. Buckling up keeps you safe and secure inside your vehicle and can save your life—and your face. Seat belts are the best defense against impaired, aggressive, drowsy and distracted drivers.
Know how to buckle up properly.
The lap belt and shoulder belt are secured across the hip bones, across the chest and positioned at mid shoulder; these bones are more equipped to withstand crash forces than other parts of your body. Wearing BOTH your lap and shoulder belt is the best line of defense.
- The head restraint should lie somewhere between the top of your ears and the top of your head.
- Place the shoulder belt across your shoulder bone, down the middle of your chest and away from your neck.
- Adjust the lap belt across your hips below your stomach.
NEVER put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.
Fit matters.
- Before you buy a new car, check to see that its seat belts are a good fit for you.
- If you’re short, ask your dealer about seat belt adjusters, which can help you get the best fit.
Click here for more information – Link to: 1C – Adults – Special Needs – Short Statured and Little People section - If you need a roomier belt, contact your vehicle manufacturer to obtain a seat belt extender.
Click here for more information.- Link to: 1C – Adults – Special Needs – Overweight Individuals section - If you drive an older or classic car with no seat belts or lap belts only, check with your vehicle manufacturer about how to update your car with today’s safer lap/shoulder belts.
Airbags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them.
Did you know that airbags open at a rate of 100-200 mph? If you are thrown directly into a rapidly opening airbag without any restraining help from your seat belt, the force could injure or even kill you. Seat belts are designed to work together with airbags—the seat belt secures the occupant and the airbag lessens the crash impact. Visit www.iihs.org for more information on airbag safety.
Tips:
- Always keep at least 10 inches between the center of your chest and the steering wheel cover or dashboard.
- Drivers and front passengers should sit in the center of the seat upright against the seatback with feet on the floor.
- Children under 13 should ride properly protected in the back seat, as the back seat is the safest for children. If you have an airbag ON-OFF switch, check its position every time you enter your vehicle.
- One survey shows that 48 percent of these ON-OFF switches were incorrectly left ON for child passengers under age 13. For information on airbag safety, visit the IIHS.org website.
- Passengers, including children shouldn’t lean against the vehicle door or window. With or without an airbag, passengers who lean against doors are at higher risk of injury in the event of a side impact crash.
Occupant protection is for everyone.
Click it, Utah. Every one, every trip.
