What is National Seat Belt Day?

As the holidays approach, National Seat Belt Day, on November 14th, encourages everyone to take action and save lives. Wearing a seat belt has been shown to save lives, regardless of where you are sitting in a car.

Just over 90% of Americans buckle up, saving an estimated 15,000 lives each year. However, 57% of passenger fatalities in 2017 were not restrained, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Seat belts have been shown to minimize serious injury risk and save lives.

It's been 60 years since the introduction of the three-point seat belt, and this restraint has saved hundreds of thousands of people. Since then, the industry has introduced advanced safety equipment to automobiles. However, many of these advancements will not save a life unless the driver and passengers are seat belt restraints. For example, airbags that pair properly with proper seat belt use work most effectively when paired with proper seat belt use. Without the restraining hold of a seat belt, the force with which an airbag deploys can be deadly on its own can be deadly.

Be sure everyone buckles up during this holiday travel season and every season. Anyone safely arriving will be worth celebrating!