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Seatbelts: The simplest and least expensive way to reduce deaths and serious injuries

  • Published
  • By Airman Amber Kelly-Woodward
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE,Ill. --  Prior to 1980, 11 percent of the population said they wore seatbelts, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. As of now, 25 states have passed the seatbelt law and 82 percent of Americans say they wear their seatbelts.
A law enforcing seatbelt use is thought to infringe upon civil rights. The truth; however, is seatbelts prevent ejection, shift crash forces to the strongest parts of the body's structure, spread forces over a wide area of the body, allow the body to slow down gradually and protect the head and spinal cord. Seatbelt use saves an estimated 11,000 lives a year.
"We are in the midst of a national epidemic," said Norman Mineta, former transportation secretary. "If this many people were to die from any one disease in a single year, Americans would demand a vaccine. The irony is we already have the best vaccine available to reduce the death toll on our highways - safety belts."
If a car crash were to happen, there are three ways to limit injuries and death. Vehicles can be modified to provide better protection for drivers and passenger, emergency medical services can be improved to reach victims quicker to provide extensive medical care and people can wear their seat belts. Of the three, the last method is the most practical.
The Air Mobility Command's 101 Critical Days of Summer slogan is, "Be your own safety manager." Most people would agree that it is safer to wear a seatbelt, than not.
On Scott Air Force Base, fines can only be issued on the east side of the base, said Staff Sgt. David Arreola, NCOIC 375th Security Forces Squadron. If someone is found on the west side of the base, which is where most Scott personnel are, they will be issued a 1408 and their first sergeant will handle it.
The lap part of the seatbelt should go on the lowest possible area of the hips, because they are the strongest bones. The shoulder part should go over the shoulder and across the body diagonally, not under the arm. If pregnant, the seatbelt should be worn underneath the abdomen.
In the state of Illinois, all front seat occupants and passengers under the age of 16 must wear a seatbelt. However, all military members, regardless where they are, must wear a seat belt while in a vehicle according to Air Force Instruction 91-207.
The month of May is dedicated to the use of seatbelts; however, it should be practiced every time anyone enters a vehicle. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that all passengers are wearing a seatbelt. Just remember, Click it or Ticket.