REASONS WHY I DO NOT
WEAR MY SAFETY BELT

"I don't need a seat belt when I'm traveling at low speeds or going on a short trip."

TRUTH:
80% of all crashes occur at speeds less than 40 mph.
75% of all crashes occur within 25 miles of home.

The force of impact from a 30 mph crash is like falling head first from a three-story building.
Air bags come out of the dashboard at up to 200 mph, if you are not belted you could collide with the air bag.

"I have an automatic shoulder belt, I don't need to fasten my lap belt."

TRUTH:
Lap and shoulder belt combinations offer the best protection in a crash. If you do not have your lap portion fastened then you slide out of the shoulder belt.

"The shoulder belt cuts into my throat, so I just put the belt under my arm or behind my shoulder."

TRUTH:
Again lap/shoulder combinations offer the best protection in a crash. Shoulder belts are designed to hold you back at the strongest points of your body. If the belt is under the arm, serious internal injuries may occur.

"I'll never be in a crash, I'm a good driver."

TRUTH:
Good drivers can be hit by bad drivers. How many people do you hear say, "I intentionally got into a crash."
Almost all of us will be involved in a serious automobile crash at some point in our life.

"Seat belts are uncomfortable."

TRUTH:
Safety belts are designed to allow you to reach necessary driving controls. If you need something out of reach, you should probably pull over or have a passenger help. However, in a crash the safety belt locks and holds you in place.
Safety belts are a lot more comfortable than a hospital bed.

"I might be saved if I'm thrown clear of the car in a crash."

TRUTH:
If you are thrown from the car, your chances of being killed are 25 times greater than if you remained in the vehicle. In addition, the car might roll right on top of you.

"If I wear a seat belt I might be trapped in a burning or submerged car."

TRUTH:
Less than one half of one percent of all injury producing crashes are caused by fire or submersion.
With safety belts, you are less likely to be hurt and more likely to be alert and capable of escaping.

"I'd be too embarrassed to ask my friends to wear their seat belt."

TRUTH:
More than 35,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year. Yet, no one has died of embarrassment.

"It takes too much time and trouble to fasten my seat belt."

TRUTH:
It does not take much time for you to be seriously injured or killed after the collision occurs.

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