When you first get into your car, what is the first thing you do? Turn the car on? Put the music on? Adjust your mirrors? What about wearing your seatbelt? Your seat belt is the one component that will keep you safe while you are driving or if you are in an accident. Many people today seem to take seatbelts for granted. Most people believe it is the only the driver and passenger`s obligation to wear a seatbelt and no one else has to wear them, but is that really true? Why do so many people take granted of seatbelts? One reason, the government. The federal government should regulate seatbelt usage by legislating a universal law which requires all passengers to wear a seat belts, creating substantial fines for each passenger that is not wearing …show more content…
In this case, shouldn't all occupants be required to wear seat belts no matter what circumstance? Currently, there are 30 states with primary seat belt laws that state an occupant can be cited for not wearing seat belts and there are 15 states that have secondary laws stating that an occupant can only be cited for not wearing a seatbelt if he or she is cited for another violation such as speeding or reckless driving (CDC).There was a study done by the CDC that stated that 88% of occupants used seat belts in states with primary seat belt laws and 77% occupants used occupants used seatbelts in states with secondary laws. Also, those states that went from secondary laws to primary laws, seat belt usage went up by 12-18% (CDC). Many people take seat belts for granted and have to learn the hard way when they are substantially injured or even dead during an accident. By the government creating a universal primary seat belt law more awareness can be expressed through occupants all across the country of why seat belt usage is an important no matter where you are sitting in a vehicle or how old you …show more content…
Even though these 4 states have a significant amount of fines for not wearing a seatbelt, but only the driver is fined, not additional passengers that also might not be wearing a seatbelt. How will this be able to encourage seat belt usage if only one person in the vehicle is fined? For this reason the government should create substantial fines not only for the driver penalized, but also for passengers penalized for not wearing seat belts. This will bring awareness to all occupants in a vehicle that wearing a seat belt is mandatory or else each occupant will have to pay a fine not only the driver of the
In North Carolina, the “Click It or Ticket” program was put into place in 1993 by former Governor Jim Hunt to increase safety belt and child safety use rates through stepped up enforcement of the state’s safety belt law. According to North Carolina’s safety belt law all drivers and front seat passengers over the age of 16 are required to wear safety belts. Children less than age 16 are covered under the North Carolina Child Restraint Law. This law requires that children must be buckled up no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Violators of the safety belt law are issued tickets and are subject to a fine of $25 plus $50 court costs. These violations have been defined as “infractions” and are not entered on driving records. In addition to this, effective January 1, 2005, any child less than 8 years old or 80 pounds in weight must ride in a booster seat. Violations of this law will result in a $25 fine plus court costs as well as having 2 points placed against driver’s license. However, drivers cited for this violation of this law for a 5,6, or 7 year old will be able to have the charges dismissed if they present proof to the court that they have acquired an appropriate restraint for that child. Statistics have been gathered on safety belt use since this program began and has shown that seat belt use has increased from 65 percent to 84 percent. It has also shown that fatal and serious injuries in North Carolina have been cut by 14 percent. Resulting in a savings of at least $135 million in health care related costs. Other positive ef...
An enormous division currently exists between the people who believe that automobile safety should be an option and those that feel it must be a requirement. The federal government feels the morally obligated to create the safest driving environment possible. On the other end of the spectrum, opinions exist that the average driver has ability to make the choice of safety on their own. Editorials, political assemblies, debates, and conversations have arrived on the concept of click it or ticket. This idea refers to ticketing any motor vehicle driver and passenger that is not fastened by a seat belt. Arguments have been made for both sides, and have been reviewed in multiple states.
In the late 1920’s, school buses and larger industrial vehicles became a popular source of transportation that started from Ford dealership owner, A.L. Luce. Luce had plans to extend the school bus frame (from a Model T) to accompany more students per one bus. As school buses and city buses became more common throughout America’s cities for daily transportation, safety regulations and precautions were put in place. Safety features, including flashing caution lights, visors outside of the vehicle, and motorized stop signs and stop arms were all installed within the next 80 years to make the journey to and from school safer. Although many of these precautions were taken, many citizens believe that not enough action was taken to promote safety on school buses. Because a variety of school bus companies do not have a stance on whether seatbelts should be installed or not, the safety concerns mainly impact parents and school leaders. A good solution for many of those concerned would be the installation of seatbelts on every school bus within the United States, but the reality of seatbelts being on buses is quite the opposite of what people believe. Seatbelts are not the justification to these safety issues concerning school corporations and parents nationwide, as the seatbelts are a costly and dangerous factor.
The imprudence of drivers causes immoral reputation and increases costs. According to the Department of Health Policy and Management, individuals who do not use seat belts are more probable to have outstanding hospital payments. Adding also that Insurance status increases periodic charges for vehicle titleholders as a method to reimburse the money that irresponsible individuals are pending. By the same reason, every year insured car owners pay extra for coverage because they are required to do consequently. Furthermore, certain government laws impose drivers to use a seat belt while driving. For instance, a number of states have declared specific laws with the purpose of reducing the effects of an accident. As an example, fines for those car drivers who drive lacking a seat belt go from fifty to two hundred dollars, depending on age and unbelted passengers. Similarly, minors unbelted are under the responsibility of the car user so it would be a fine of the similar amount if not used a seat belt. Government has to try to impose the law beholding for the best of
Despite the many efforts that automobile industries have created, research has shown that many individuals disable these reinforcements although "seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes" (http://www.cdc.gov/). Geller et al...
Seat belt rates usage in the United States was about 87% in 2013. Which was stated by seatbelt legislation in the United States Web site. That’s still 13% of individuals who are not wearing their seatbelts. Although 87% may seem high percentage its those 13% that could end up being in an car accident. Seat belt usage still remains low for individuals between the ages of 18-24. This refers to you individuals sitting right here right
However, in today’s times, mandatory use of a seat belt falls under various states purview. Each state implements its own laws regarding enforcement of seat belt use. Forty-nine states have adult seat belt laws as of 2009. New York was the first state to pass seat belt laws in 1984 and other states followed suit. In 1994, North Dakota became the last state to pass such a law. Currently, New Hampshire is the only state that does not mandate seat belt use for adults (Sefcik, L, 2010).
This woman’s story may not be one that will ever happen to many people, but if it did a seatbelt is one of the only defenses one has against it. A seatbelt is not a new development and seatbelt laws are not new either and refusing to wear a seatbelt is disregard for the law and one’s own safety. Everyone has to wear a seatbelt, no one is picked, and people from celebrities down to a common sixteen-year-old driver have to wear one. No one is exempt from the law and no one should be aloud to break it. It’s not hard to do and shouldn’t be hard to remember because all it takes is a click and even though some have come up with many reasons not to wear them the benefits of wearing a seatbelt outweigh the disadvantages by far.
Safety First “Click it or ticket!” The slogan that we see frequently on almost every highway, billboard, marque, and television commercial. The simple choice of wearing a seatbelt can save an enormous amount of lives. The average speed limit on an interstate highway is 70 MPH (miles per hour).
Car accidents are the leading cause of death for people under the age of 35. Wearing a seat belt can prevent death in about half of these accidents. Did you know that every 15 seconds someone is injured in an automobile accident if they are not buckled up, or that every 13 minutes someone is killed in a crash. Failure to wear a seat belt contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety related behavior. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration seatbelts saved nearly 12,000 lives in the United States in the year 2000. The NHTSA estimates that more than 9,000 U.S. car accident fatalities in 2000 would have been avoided if the victims had been wearing seatbelts. Sixty three percent of the people killed in accidents were not wearing seat belts. The NHTSA a...
Seatbelts have been around since the 1950s and have proven to save lives over the years. The teenage stigma is that they do not need to wear one because they will be fine. After thousands of accidents where the occupants did not wear their seatbelt, the Supreme Court decided to pass some laws. “In 1972, the agency requires dull passive restraints for front seat occupants” (Supreme Court). The agency that the Supreme Court is referring to is the Department of Transportation. This law is a staple in automobile safety and sets a level of precedents for future laws. After this law was passed, the amount of fatalities from traffic incident relating to seat belts usage had dropped. The Supreme Court did not stop there, they continued to add more laws. “...new motor vehicles produced after September 1982 will be equipped with passive restraints to protect the safety of the occupants of the vehicle in the event of a collision” (Supreme Court). Now all new motor vehicles must have a form of passive restraint added to their vehicles before they can sell them to the public. The government hoped to protect more lives of young drivers who did not insist on wearing seat belts by making them mandatory and being enforced by police officers. Since 1972, hundreds of thousands of teenage lives have been saved with this simple safety
Based on the analysis done by James Medison University, As many as 17,000 people could be saved every year by wearing a seatbelt. When we are not wearing a seat belt, it will increase medical costs in the event of an accident.
If you are a person who does not always wear your seat belt all the times, or think that you are a good driver and nothing is going to happen to you, I strongly urge that you most definitely need to start getting in the habit of doing so starting now it only takes 2 seconds. Your safety should always be a very important priority. Therefore, wearing a seat belt will lessen your chance of death and serious injuries if you are ever involved in a minor or serious car accident. Finding a reason to not wear your seat belt when you are in a vehicle or simply just not bothering to wear one is breaking the law, and most importantly putting your life in danger. Extremely too many people are losing their lives in devastating car accidents from not buckling up and every year the rate is still rising. The next time you are in a car and don’t have on your seat belt think about all the repercussions that people who didn’t have on a seat belt during a car accident and probably thought, “Nothing is going to happen to me” and ended up no longer able to remember things due to their head being slammed into the windshield in and their leg being broken. Think about all of the millions of people who have lost their lives. No one is safe from these dangers and you can be a victim too if you don’t buckle up. Just one wise decision can save your
We have all heard the excuses before, “do I have to wear it? It isn’t like it’s going to protect me,” “it’s uncomfortable, I’m only going around the corner,” or “I’d rather be thrown out of the vehicle than to be stuck in a seat belt.” No matter how good of a driver you are, or you think you might be, there are always situations that are beyond your control. Such as, bad weather, drunk drivers, and road conditions. Sometimes, seat belts can be a life or death in an automobile accident. Not only is wearing your seat belt every time you get in a vehicle, but it is required by law in 49 states, with the exception of New Hampshire. Although seat belts are known to lock up and wrinkle your clothes, I believe that wearing your seat belt is beneficial because every fourteen seconds someone is injured in a traffic crash. Seat belts are not only known for holding you in place during a collision, but more importantly the are known to save the lives of the occupants in the vehicle.
Most teenagers are excited to get their license so they are able to be with their friends. They believe it is fun to have a car full of friends and drive anywhere and everywhere. However, most teenagers are not aware that three or more teen passengers quadruples a crash risk (National). When others are in the car with a driver it causes a myriad of distractions. Teenagers are subjected to peer-pressure and therefore do not make mature decisions. For example, teenagers wear seat belts less often than older drivers because of peer-pressure (Millward). The seat belt is a restriction so if an accident were to occur the outcome of it will not be as extreme with it on. Wearing a seat belt is also a law and teenagers pressure each other to break that law. The fatality rate for teenagers is 3.6 times higher than driving alone (California). Teenagers are pressured to break laws and do illegal actions while others are in t...