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Seat Belt Essay

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According to the CDC, “A total of 21,022 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2014” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The CDC also says that, “More than half (range: 53%-59%) of teens (13-19 years) and adults aged 20-44 years who died in crashes in 2014 were unrestrained” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Motor accidents are a major cause of death in the United States and not wearing a seat belt increases your chances of adding to that number. Everyone should wear seat belts because they are required in many states, can’t be substituted for airbags, and decrease the chance of being injured or killed in a car accident. 34 states actually have primary seat belt laws. States with these primary …show more content…

Most vehicles today have airbags, but there are problems with airbags when you’re not using a seat belt. According to Michael Page, an airbag can inflate and shoot out at over 200 miles per hour. If you hit the airbag while it is inflating it could cause serious injury and could even be fatal (Page). Using a seat belt keeps you positioned correctly so that you can effectively utilize an airbag in an accident. Seat belts and airbags are a system of safety that work best together. The main concern in motor accidents are injuries and deaths. Wearing a seat belt decreases your chance of serious injury and death by about half. They also saved 12,802 people in 2014 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Seat belts keep you safe by keeping you from being ejected from the vehicle, restrains the body’s strong points, lessens the forces felt by the body, slows body, and protects your head and neck (Orenstein). They play an important role in keeping you safe from injury and death. In this paper I told you why you should wear your seat belt because they are required in many states, can’t be substituted for airbags, and decrease the chance of being injured or killed in a car accident. Seat belts take a few seconds to put on and can save your life. Is your life worth those extra couple of

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