Buckle Up!
When should you wear your seat belt?
Every time you ride in a vehicle, no matter how short the trip.
Airbags can replace seat belts.
FALSE. Airbags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them.
In 2017, approximately how many lives did seat belts save?
About 14,955 lives.
Should the shoulder belt go behind your back?
No
Your friend gets into your car but doesn't buckle up. What should you do?
Ask them to buckle up before you start driving.
Should passengers in the back seat wear a seat belt?
Yes. Everyone in the vehicle should buckle up.
You can be injured even on a short trip if you don't wear a seat belt.
TRUE
How many additional lives could have been saved in 2017 with 100% seat belt use?
About 2,549 additional lives
Should the shoulder belt go under your arm?
No. It should cross your chest and shoulder.
Your friend says, "We're only going around the corner." What do you say?
"It only takes a few seconds to buckle up, and crashes can happen on short trips too."
What are the two parts of a standard seat belt?
The lap belt and the shoulder belt.
Wearing only the shoulder belt is safe.
FALSE. You should use both the lap and shoulder belts.
In 2022, what percentage of teen drivers who died in crashes were unbuckled?
50%.
What can happen if you wear only the shoulder belt?
You may slide underneath the belt during a crash, increasing the risk of serious injury.
Your passenger says, "I'm in the back seat, so I don't need a seat belt." What do you say?
"Everyone needs to buckle up, including people in the back seat."
Where should the lap belt sit?
Low and snug across the hips/upper thighs, not across the stomach.
A seat belt should be worn snugly against your body.
TRUE
In 2022 fatal crashes, which had a higher seat belt use rate: teen drivers or teen passengers?
Teen drivers — 48% compared with 36% for teen passengers.
Why shouldn't the lap belt sit across your stomach?
It should sit low across the hips and upper thighs so the belt can properly restrain your body during a crash.
You notice someone wearing the shoulder belt behind their back. What should you tell them?
Tell them to wear the shoulder belt properly across their chest and shoulder.
What is the main purpose of a seat belt during a crash?
It helps keep you secured inside the vehicle and helps prevent you from being thrown around or ejected.
The back seat is automatically safe even if you aren't wearing a seat belt.
FALSE. Back-seat passengers can still be seriously injured or killed when unbelted.
When an unbuckled teen driver was involved in a fatal crash in 2022, about how many of the passengers who died were also unbuckled?
9 out of 10 passengers.
Why are airbags designed to work with seat belts?
Seat belts help keep you in the proper position, while airbags provide additional protection during a crash.
You are the driver and one passenger refuses to buckle up. What is the safest choice?
Don't start driving until the passenger is properly buckled.