Defensive Driving Tips and Techniques

According to the Ohio Department of Safety, there are more than 200 deaths each year in the U.S. associated with riding in the cargo area of pickup trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that pickup truck occupants are three times more likely to be involved in rollover crashes than in other types of vehicles. The largest number of vehicle fatalities and injuries are caused by rollover crashes.

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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)

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