OCCUPANT PROTECTION

Questions & Answers

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), since 1982, it is estimated that 697 Kansans were saved by wearing their belt.

Q: "What are the economic costs associated with not wearing a safety belt?"

The National Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states, that on average, the hospital costs for an unbuckled crash victim are 50% higher than those for a belted victim. Society bears about 85% of these costs, not the individual involved.

Q: "If you have an airbag, do you really need to wear your safety belt?"

Airbags are designed to be supplemental safety devices, meaning they are to be used in combination with a lap and shoulder belt. In a crash, the airbag comes out of the dashboard at the force of over 200 mph.

Q: "How many lives have been saved by airbags?"
In 2000, an estimated, 1,584 U.S. lives were saved by air bags. From 1987 to 2000, a total of 6,553 lives were saved.

Q: "What distance should there be between someone and an airbag?"

Ten to 12 inches from the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. Push seat as far back as possible, slightly recline back of seat and tilt steering wheel down, pointing the airbag at your chest.

Q: "Should a rear-facing child safety seat ever be placed in front of an airbag?"

Rear-facing child safety seats should never be placed in front of an airbag, serious injury or death could result. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain rear-facing until they are:
1) ONE year old
AND
2) at least 20 pounds.

Q: "Why are children still dying in crashes?"

Not all children are secured or properly restrained in a child safety seat or safety belt. Approximately 88% of child safety seats are used incorrectly. In Kansas, only 81% of children under four and 57% of children ages four to 14 are restrained by a child safety seat or safety belt.

Q: "What is the Kansas law for the use of child safety seats?"

The Child Passenger Safety Act states that children under four must be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat. Children ages four but under 14, must be protected by a safety belt, regardless of the seating position. This is a primary violation. Kansas law also prohibits children under the age of 14 from riding on or in any vehicle or portion of a vehicle not specifically designed for passengers, this includes the back of pickup trucks.

Q: Who do you contact regarding seat belt education?

Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office
1-800-416-2522