Important Safety Tips for Familes and Pets for National Seat Belt Day

Nov 14, 2022

We’ve covered tips and tricks for roadside safety, proper car maintenance, and plenty of road trip ideas, but today we’re taking it back to the basics and fundamentals of driver safety: seatbelts! To celebrate National Seat Belt Day, we’re sharing some important facts about seat belt usage as well as some suggestions for securing your family pets on the road, too. It’s all right here on today’s blog.

Vector illustration of safety belt, seat belt. Seat belt for protection. Safety equipment for vehicle or plane. Safety first, fasten your seat belt sign with arrow. Green background.

We’re thrilled to report that according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2021’s national use rate of seatbelts by Americans was an impressive 90.4%!
In 2020, NHTSA reports that out of the 23,000+ passengers of cars who died in vehicle accidents, 51% of them were not seatbelted.
It’s important to buckle up each and every time, no matter how long or short your trip is – in fact, most crashes happen within 25 miles of your home. (NHTSA)
Buckling up in the front seat of a car can reduce risk of fatal injury by 45% and moderate to critical injuries reduced by 50% (NHTSA)
Airbags are not a replacement for seat belts, but rather are there to work in tandem and further reduce injury or chances of death.
If your seatbelt is not comfortable, you can acquire seat belt adjusters or seat belt extenders both as aftermarket products and from your vehicle’s manufacturer.
Vintage, classic, and antique vehicles should be updated and retrofitted with modern standardized seat belts to ensure a safe ride.
Seatbelts are a matter of national concern, and 49 out of the 50 states have specific laws about usage and requirements!
Did you know that use of seatbelts and vehicle restraints drops by 40% in children when parents don’t properly use their seat belts? 57% of 13 and 14 year olds who were involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were unrestrained. Setting a good example for younger drivers and younger passengers can save their lives! (NHTSA)
Children should always remain secured in car seats and/or booster seats until they have outgrown the size and weight limits of their booster seats, or have reached a size where they can fit properly in the seat with safe seat belt usage. Generally, this is between ages of 8 and 12. Additionally, all children under 13 should remain in the back seat.
From 1975 through 2017, seat belts have saved more than 370,000 lives.

Car Safety for Pets