There is no doubt that seat belts are the most significant safety device ever introduced. Research shows that properly fastened lap/shoulder seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45 percent. and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent. For light truck occupants, seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent and moderate-to-critical injury by 65 percent. (NHTSA, 2005)

From 1975 through 2004, it is estimated that safety belts saved 195,382 lives, including 15,434 lives saved in 2004. If all passenger vehicle occupants over age 4 had worn seat belts, 21,273 lives (an additional 5,839) could have been saved in 2004 alone. (NHTSA, 2005)


Seatbelts save lives in several ways. They provide impact protection, absorb incredible crash forces, and keep occupants from being thrown from the vehicle. Vehicles these days are designed with built-in “crumple zones,” with seat belts playing an integral part in the system. The safety belts restrain occupant firmly in place while the vehicle collapses around the “safe” zone. Seatbelts help keep drivers and passengers in better control of the vehicle, and more easily able to avoid a crash.

Yet despite all these benefits, and the number of peoples lives saved every year from wearing seatbelts, people offer lots of “reasons” for not wearing them.

1. “I don’t want to be trapped in my vehicle if there’s a collision, particularly if my vehicle ends up on fire or in the water.” Wearing seatbelts increases the likelihood of occupants remaining conscious during an accident, resulting in less injury, and a better chance of getting out. The occurrence of jammed seatbelts is very rare.
2. “Seatbelts crush and wrinkle my clothing.” Very true. However, compared to dying it’s a pretty lame excuse.
3. “I would much rather be thrown clear of the vehicle in a crash.” The number one cause of death in vehicle crashes is a head injury sustained whilst after being thrown clear.
4. “Many people in crashes would have been killed had they been wearing belts.” Where did this one come from? Not any safety expert that’s for sure. If a collision has the capacity to kill with a seatbelt on, then you would almost certainly be killed with the seatbelt off. Statistics clearly show that wearing seat belts prevents roughly 50% of deaths and injuries.
5. “Seatbelts are uncomfortable.” This could be true, but the belts can be adjusted so they fit better. You car dealer can help with this one.
6. “It’s a free country! I’m not having the government tell ME what to do!” What about other people’s rights? Injuries caused by not wearing seatbelts cost money to fix. Uninsured victims end up having their medical bills paid by the public, in some states costing over $35 million a year.
What about your passengers who refuse to wear seat belts? The answer is simple – no ride!. In any collision, unbelted passengers become flying objects—even with your belt on, you can be injured or struck from behind by an unbelted passenger.
If all the safety arguments fall on deaf ears, here’s a compelling financial argument. If you are involved in a crash and not wearing a seatbelt, you could be held partially responsible for your own injuries, even if the fault lies with the other driver. A court may rule that a certain percentage of your injuries were caused by your failure to protect yourself, and reduce any financial damages by that amount. In the case of sever injuries, this could cost you millions.
So in answer to the question “Are peoples lives saved every year from wearing seatbelts” ……Yes, the statistics prove it!