by Joseph Devine

Saving Lives
Seatbelts are one of the most common mechanisms used to protect drivers and passengers in the case of an automobile collision. Fortunately for drivers, statistics show that, despite being relatively ‘low-tech,’ seatbelts are a very effective layer of protection, saving an estimated 9,500 lives every year. On the flip side, other numbers show that over 60% of people who die in car accidents were not wearing seatbelts.
Some people are more likely to "buckle up" than others. Male drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 are statistically the least likely to wear a seatbelt. Unfortunately, this demographic group is also known for containing the highest-risk drivers in the United States; if anyone needs to learn good seatbelt habits, it is these young men.
Seat Belt Designs
Seatbelts have come in many different designs through history, ranging from the simple lap belt to the modern three-point belt which goes from shoulder to hip and across the waist.
Many considerations factor into a successful seat belt design. Because the goal of a seatbelt is to reduce the force on a vehicle’s occupants in the case of a collision, it must distribute its stopping power in a way that will minimize bodily injury. The three-point belt, for example, is designed to spread the impact of a sudden stop over the chest and into the strong shoulder and hip bones of the body.
Government Regulation
Given the strong evidence for the benefits of wearing a seatbelt, most governments in the United States have laws which make wearing a seatbelt mandatory. New York was the first state to require seatbelts, passing legislation in late 1984. Today, all US states, with the exception of New Hampshire, have laws requiring seatbelts in some form.
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