What Impact Do Seatbelts Really Have?

What Impact Do Seatbelts Really Have?

Most of us wear our seat belts today without much fuss. If safety wasn’t a concern, putting that seat belt on was still a better alternative to the constant nagging of the incessant warning bells.

Compliance, however, is saving lives, and in significant numbers. In addition to saving lives, serious injuries have also been reduced through the increased use of seat belts.

Although seat belts were available in vehicles years prior, Federal law mandated that they be placed in the seating positions of all vehicles in 1968. Some states didn’t mandate their use until decades later. In California, for example, seat belts weren’t required to be worn until 1986. One state, New Hampshire, still doesn’t require their use for adults.

The facts, however, seem to speak for themselves. Starting in 1966 and for 8 straight years, traffic deaths in the United States reached over 50,000 annually. In 1972 and 1973, they peaked at over 54,000 each year. Since then, however, almost a half-century, deaths have only exceeded 50,000 in three of those years. Not since 1980 have we had a year with 50,000 or more traffic fatalities. In recent years, deaths routinely range in the 32,000-37,000. This, of course, is still far too many, but it is significantly better than where we were headed, even with more drivers on the road.

While seat belts have not been the sole contributing factors in these reductions, better equipment, airbags and other safety features have played a role, seat belts have had a significant impact. Studies show that when the driver and front seat passenger use a safety belt, the risk of death is reduced by 45%. The risk of serious injury drops even a bit further at 50%.

The facts are in. Seatbelts and other car safety features save lives. If you are not encouraging your family to use them regularly, you may be putting them at unnecessary risk, and may even be contributing to increasing auto insurance rates.

When you contact one of our independent automobile insurance specialist, we will connect with our network of insurance companies to compare rates and coverage. You just may be paying too much and not even know it. Connect with us today for your free auto insurance quote.


Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Buzz Your
Insurance Agent

Search for a local agent with our agent finder map.

Agent Finder

Want to learn more about our blog writer?

Read more about KayLynn's background.

Click Here

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

American Grandeur: Exploring the Majesty of America’s Iconic Castles

Beyond fairy tales: Discover the real-life castles of America.

Mind-Blowing Trivia: Random Facts to Spark Curiosity

From mountain heights to shoe counts: Random facts that will surprise you.

Punching Above Your Weight: Building a Strong Brand to Compete with Giants

Small business, big impact: Building a brand that rivals the competition.

Life Insurance: Investment or Protection? Decoding Cash Value Policies

Is life insurance an investment? Understanding cash value policies.

Independent vs. Captive: Choosing the Right Auto Insurance Agent

Unlock more choices: Understanding independent vs. captive insurance agents.

Deluges of Disaster: Remembering America’s Most Devastating Floods

From Johnstown to New Orleans: Remembering the fury of America’s historic floods.

Beyond the Theme Parks: 7 Unique Florida Experiences

Discover a different side of Florida: 7 unique adventures.

Turning Negatives into Positives: Mastering Online Reputation Management

Don’t fear negative reviews: Learn how to manage your online reputation.

From Picky Eaters to Healthy Habits: Nurturing Lifelong Wellness in Children

Beyond the clean plate: Fostering healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.

Road Rage and Reckless Driving: Are We Forgetting the Rules of the Road?

Are today’s drivers losing their way? A refresher on essential driving skills.