How Important is Wearing a Seat Belt?

Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Accident & Injury, Automobile, Car Accident on August 12, 2021

While most people understand that wearing a seat belt is important, many decide not to wear one when getting into a vehicle. According to the  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2019, 22,215 people were killed in a motor-vehicle accident; 47% of them were not wearing a seatbelt.

Seat Belt Laws in Ohio:

• Drivers and passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt.
• Unless 4’9″ or taller, any child under the age of 8 must be fastened in a booster seat or appropriate safety seat.
• Any child between the ages of 8 and 15 not riding in a child safety seat is required to wear a seat belt.

Over the last few decades, technology has increased where seat belts and airbags have begun to work together. Front seat belts have a device that senses when an accident is taking place. As the airbag goes off, the seat belt will lock and hold the passenger in place. People who do not wear a seat belt or wear it improperly are at risk of getting seriously injured or even ejected from the vehicle.

Wearing a Seat Belt in the Back Seat

Ohio does not have seat belt laws enforced when an adult sits in the back seat. 4 out of 5 people admit to not wearing a seat belt in the back seat during short rides, which is seen more predominantly in ride-share companies like Uber or Lyft.  In the event of a crash, oftentimes, back seat passengers don’t have safety equipment besides the seat belt. If unrestrained, they are eight times more likely to have serious or life-threatening injuries.

Whether riding in the front or back seat, wearing a seatbelt is equally important. By performing the simple task of buckling up, the risk for fatal injuries decreases tremendously during a motor vehicle accident. Following the practice of buckling up and encouraging friends and family to do the same will create a safer drive for everyone.