Seat Belts Save Lives

• Seat belts are your best protection in a crash.  Being properly secured keeps you in control of your vehicle and ready to react in a hazardous situation.
  
• Seat belts aren't just for those in the front seat. If a passenger riding in the rear seat is not belted, his or her body becomes a lethal weapon in a crash, moving forward with enough force to cause serious injury to someone riding in the front.
  
• Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective action that any driver or passenger can take to safeguard their safety while on the road. They are the best defense against the risky driving behaviors found on our roadways.
  

Too Many Ignore the Facts

• When seat belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45%; the risk of moderate-to-critical injury is reduced by 65%.
  
• 55% of those killed in a crash were NOT wearing their seat belt at the time of the crash.
  
• Motorists on rural roadways face a much greater risk of being injured or killed than thosein urban or suburban areas. 

Children Must Be Properly Restrained, Too.

For maximum child passenger safety, parents, grandparents and caregivers should always remember and follow The 4 Steps for Kids.

1.  Use rear-facing infant seats in the back seat from birth to at least 1 year of age an until they weigh  

     at least 20 pounds;

2.  Use forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat from age 1 and at least 20 pounds to about age 4  
     and 40 pounds;

3.  Use booster seats in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8, unless the  child is 4‘9” tall.

4.  Use seat belts when they fit appropriately, usually at age 8 and older or taller than 4‘ 9”.  ALL

     children up to age 13 should ride in the rear seat.

For more information on Traffic Safety, please visit http://www.trafficsafety.org/thanks06.doc

Buckle-Up Your Family.  Every Trip.  Every Time.