We all have places to go and people to see. Our jobs, family, and friends can often be long distances from where we live, and the easiest way to get where we’re going is by driving. For many of us, driving has become a second nature and something we barely think about. However, it remains one of the most dangerous activities many of us take part in on a daily basis.
Are you taking every precaution necessary to lower your risk on the roads?
Seat Belt Use
The importance of seat belt use shouldn’t be news for any of us. We’ve seen signs on the road that read, “Click It or Ticket.” The cars that we drive are now accompanied by flashing red lights and warning beeps when our seat belts aren’t secured. Our parents made sure every passenger was secured before setting off on a trip. With the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law, effective in June of 2009, it even became law in the state of Florida to wear seat belts for all drivers, front seat passengers, and any passengers under 18. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that all drivers and passengers listen.
In recent years, fatalities where the person failed to wear a seat belt have gone down, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. Why are they so important? In an accident, seat belt use:
- Prevents you from being thrown from your vehicle
- Stops you from colliding with other passengers or parts of your car
- Keeps you in a position where the airbags are most effective
Seat Belt Statistics
There are a multitude of statistics taken every year that demonstrate just how important and effective properly securing yourself in your vehicle is.
- In 2016, 48% of those killed in vehicle collisions were not wearing seat belts
- Risk of fatal injury while wearing a seat belt is reduced by 45%
- Risk of moderate to critical injury is reduced by 50%
- An estimated 14,668 lives were saved by seat belt use in 2016
The numbers don’t lie. Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, so why do some of us still fail to use them? In 2017, Florida drivers surpassed 90% seat belt use for the first time. While the number of Florida drivers wearing seat belts is higher than the national average, there is still room for improvement. For every 10 people on Florida roads, one of them is not wearing a seat belt.
People who fail to buckle up risk tickets, injuries, and even death. You put yourself and anyone else in your vehicle in danger every time you ignore the law. It’s time we all held each other accountable to make sure that no more lives are lost because somebody failed to buckle up. It’s the easiest part of your trip and one of the most important.
Contact Brooks Law Group
If you, or a loved one, have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, call Brooks Law Group at 1-800-LAW-3030 for a free consultation. At Brooks Law Group, our mission statement is to “Provide the Best Client Experience Possible” and our attorneys go above and beyond to get you the help you need. We’re an all injury law firm serving the entire state of Florida, with offices in Tampa, Winter Haven, and Auburndale. Call Brooks Law Group today!
