|  | Public Health Safety | Driving Safely

3 Ways to Make Somebody Use Seatbelts

In 2009, a record 84 percent of Americans reporting using seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The remaining 16 percent have a variety of excuses: "Seat belts are uncomfortable." "I'm just going around the corner." "I'm a safe driver." Or, "It's a matter of personal freedom."

You can counter these dodges by letting people know the safety, economic and legal reasons behind why they should always buckle up in their vehicles.

  1. Safety Issues

    • Explain that the slogan, "Seat belts save lives," is true. A 2009 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) study found that 15,147 people involved in traffic accidents in 2007 survived because they were wearing seat belts. The DOT says that if 90 percent of all Americans would wear their seat belts another 1,652 lives would be saved and 22,372 more people would escape serious injury each year in car accidents. The NHTSA estimates that seat belts decrease the risk of dying in a crash by 60 percent and cut the chance of moderate to severe injury by 65 percent.

    Economic Issues

    • Refusing to wear a seat belt can cost you money in increased medical bills. The more severe injuries that non-seat belt wearers tend to suffer translates to hospital stays that are three to five times longer and bills that are two to seven times higher, according to the NHTSA. Putting on a seat belt could have saved $26 billion in medical costs nationwide, the agency estimates.

    Seat Belt Laws

    • In more than half the states in America, you are breaking the law if you don't wear your seat belt while driving. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 30 states and the District of Columbia have primary seat belt laws, meaning a law enforcement officer can ticket you for driving without fastening your seat belt. The most common fine is $25, although Texas levies a $200 penalty. Another 19 states have secondary seat belt laws. If you are stopped for a traffic violation in those states, the officer can also cite you for not wearing a seat belt. Those fines range from $10 to $60.

Driving Safely - Related Articles