Argumentative Essay On Seat Belt Safety

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among those between the ages of 1-54 in the U.S. Seat belts dramatically reduce risk of death and serious injury among drivers and front-seat passengers. Seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes. By the end of this speech, the class will agree that wearing your seat belt is important and that seat belts protect drivers and passengers from injury in any type of collision.

The concept came about from inventor George Cayley back in the early 19th century. The goal of the belt was to secure a person to a moving object and was often used for fireman and painters to provide an extra level of protection. In the 1950’s, Dr. C. Hunter Shelden took the seat belt to a new level by researching the injuries and fatalities that were happening with

the current restraint systems. He came up with the idea to make the belt retractable as we know them today.
Some advantages are that studies have shown that wearing a seat belt is the most effective method to reduce injury or prevent death during an accident. In fact, not wearing a seat belt is the single contributing factor that causes more deaths in motor vehicle crashes. Safety is an important factor whereas seat belts are designed to prevent passengers from striking the interior of the vehicle or being ejected during a crash. They are credited to saving 9,500 lives each year. Conversely, 60 percent of fatal car crashes involved people not wearing a seat belt. The cost of passengers not wearing a seat belt is staggering. We would all save money lost to higher health care and insurance costs if seat belts were used much more often. On average, each American pays nearly $600 per year for accidents. The sum to care for an unrestrained victim in an accident is 50 percent higher than that of a belted passenger. Tougher laws are being enacted to promote seat belt use across the country.
The disadvantages are that law enforcement officials say enforcement programs are being implemented to get people to wear a seat belt.

However, many argue stronger seat belt laws reduce their personal freedom, taking away their right to choose whether or not to buckle up. You can also be injured by a seat belt like with some restrained passengers involved in an accident complained of having multiple bruises and cuts and internal injuries. They say there would have been fewer injuries if they had not been wearing a seat belt. First responders also say they often see passengers who wore their seat belts too loosely, leading to increased injury.

This brings me to the realization that there are arguments against seat belts and when people are asked why they do not wear seat belts, these are the most common responses: “I’m just going down the street.” But 80 percent of fatal traffic accidents happen within 25 miles of the home.

"I'm a good driver.” Bad drivers are out there so why not protect yourself. "I don't want to be trapped in the event of an accident.” Look if you are thrown from the vehicle, you are 25% more likely to be fatally

injured.
There are some serious consequences when it comes to not wearing your seat belt, this may include injuries like broken bones, severed limbs, and brain damage, and you can even become paralyzed. Another is that you will get fined for not wearing a seatbelt from $25 up to $50 on average, but if you're under the age of 17 it will be $100 up to $200 on average. So you cannot exclude the inevitability of death, this is a real possibility when you don't wear a seatbelt and by them it’s too late.
You might ask what I can do. Well there is an organization called the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) that recommends effective, well-enforced seat belt laws to ensure that every person in every seat buckles up on every trip. If you want more information you can visit them at www.cdc.gov, I’m sure they would be glad to see people interested in supporting their cause.
In conclusion putting on your seat belt will bring down the jeopardy of bodily injury. Seat belts are very essential to motorists and passengers of a vehicle. Wearing your seat belt will diminish your possibility of death or critical injury. I suggest that your buckle up of get buckled up.