Safety Belt Myths

MYTH: I don't need a safety belt when driving at slow speeds or on short trips. All driving is dangerous. Fatalities have been recorded as slow as 12 mph on non-belted occupants. Most crashes occur at speeds less than 40 mph. Of all crashes, 75 percent occur within 25 miles from home.	MYTH: Safety belts are uncomfortable and too confining. Safety belts are designed to allow motion around the vehicle. They provide plenty of freedom without compromising safety. They are designed to activate immediately should a car come to a sudden halt. After regular use, safety belts are very comfortable.
MYTH: If I wear a safety belt, I might get trapped in a burning car or underwater. Less than one out of 200 traffic related incidents involve fire or water submersion. Even so, you're much more likely to be knocked out and rendered unconscious if you're not wearing a safety belt. Your chances of escape are better while wearing a safety belt.	MYTH: I might be saved if I'm thrown clear of a car collision. You are 25 times more likely to be killed in a crash when thrown from a vehicle. The force of an impact can throw you 150 feet.15 car lengths! Safety belts also prevent you from smashing your head into the windshield, which could cause spinal damage.
MYTH: When I see a collision happening, I'll brace myself. Crashes happen in the blink of an eye. It is impossible to prepare for crashes, and the forces generated are enormous.	MYTH: I don't want to offend my passengers by telling them to buckle up. Most people willingly put on safety belts if someone only reminds them.