Question

Statistics on automobile accidents provide convincing evidence that the use of seat belts (with shoulder harnesses) reduces the number of serious injuries and fatalities in automobile accidents. On the other hand, there are some cases in which being thrown from a car in an accident actually improves your chances of survival - if the car catches fire, for example. Should individuals be able to choose not to use seat belts without legal consequences? You might wish to hunt down some hard numbers regarding accident statistics, such as the percentage of collisions that result in vehicle fires. What are your thoughts on the lack of seat belts on school buses, the value of 5-point harnesses, the function of an air bag, etc.

Answer 1

• Use of seat belts have no doubt decreased the number of fatalities in car crashes. Although, in some cases not wearing seat belt has proved to be useful; which is also true.
• But this only applies for car fires, as a matter of fact a person not wearing a seat belt is 30 times more thrown out of a car. This is considerably a bigger risk providing the fact that only 3% of the total car fires are caused due to car accidents/collisions. Rest of them are caused due to other reasons like engine burning up, smoking in car, fire hazardous appliances in car etc. in which wearing seat belt or not wont affect the chances of survival.
• Concluding to the fact of survival, and by the numbers above, it should be a legal compulsion to wear seat belts as statistics say that only 0.09% car crashes result in car fire. While wearing seat belts reduces 45-50% of fatal injury. Not wearing seat belt would result way more death and injury than those till date.
• Coming to the point of less seat belts in school buses, there are traffic rules in many countries regarding speed limit, red light, blowing horn, etc for a school bus as well as for vehicles around school bus. These are more stricter than normal ones which have led to less accidents. Still normal seat belts should be provided for prevention of any unforeseeable events.
• Use of air bags have been very useful as it has prevented many fatal injuries to the head of passenger thus saving many lives. Although, in some case it has proved to be fatal for children but because they has been seated in front seat which is anyway more risky. But if we look at the curve, it is more skewed towards saved lives.
• 5 Point harness developed by NASCAR and 3 point harness are safest types of seat belts as of today. They are designed in such a way to absorb maximum momentum of the body. These kind of belts are generally used in high speed race cars for the safety of driver. Booster seat used for children also have them. It should also used in daily vehicles especially in high speed cars.