In Georgia, drivers are required by law to wear seatbelts while operating a vehicle. But do seatbelts really work? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 8,078 lives were saved nationwide in 2017 thanks to seatbelt use. And right here in Georgia, more than 28,000 lives were saved in 2018 alone due to the use of seatbelts.
Seatbelts have been proven to be effective in reducing serious injuries, and when used correctly, seat belts are one of the most effective ways to save lives in car crashes. Keep reading to learn more about the efficacy of seatbelts from our skilled Atlanta auto accident attorneys at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, and remember to buckle up every time you get behind the wheel.
How Do Seatbelts Work?
When used correctly, seatbelts work by spreading the force of a crash over the body, which prevents occupants from being ejected from the vehicle or being hurt by hard objects inside the car. Studies suggest that having both the lap and shoulder in place can reduce the risk of fatal injury between 45-59%, assuming they are properly secured.
It is important to read instruction manuals on how to properly wear and secure a seatbelt in the right way for everyone’s best protection. To properly and safely secure a seatbelt, it needs to be snug against your body and low across the hips and shoulders; never loop or tuck it under an arm or behind your back. By following these instructions, you can save lives and help keep the state of Georgia safer for everyone.
What the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety Found About Seatbelts
Using a seatbelt is one of the smartest choices that a driver in Georgia can make. According to the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety, in 2017, seatbelts saved 1,317 lives. Most modern vehicles also come with adjustable shoulder straps, lap belts, and automatic tensioning features– all designed to provide optimum safety and comfort. Bottom line: there’s no excuse not to buckle up whenever you get behind the wheel, whether you’re a driver or a passenger.
Seatbelts Also Prevent Injuries
It should go without saying by this point that wearing a seatbelt could be the difference between life and death during a crash. However, it's not just fatalities that seatbelts help avoid. Data from 2017 shows that they also prevented 9,564 serious injuries in the state of Georgia. This is because seatbelts act as an extra form of protection, helping minimize the energy exchange between people and vehicles during crashes, thereby drastically reducing the possibility of concussions, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, lacerations, and more. So no matter when you’re getting on the road, or how long the drive is going to be, it’s crucial to always buckle up any time you get into a vehicle– no exceptions.
Buckle Up & Know That Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC Has Your Back
It’s easy to see from Georgia’s seatbelt statistics that buckling up is one of the most crucial practices when driving. Sadly, not everyone is likely to follow the rules, which is why it’s important to have a skilled attorney on your side in case the worst should happen. At Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, our skilled personal injury lawyers have a proven track record when it comes to representing clients in a range of auto accidents. Call today if you have been injured while on the road, and remember, it’s easy to protect yourselves and others by wearing your seatbelt on drives short and long.
Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC is available by phone at (888) 425-6070, or you can contact us online.