Buckling Up: How Much Safer Is It?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released passenger vehicle statistics based on a study conducted from 2001 to 2010. The study showed fatalities for drivers and passengers not using seatbelts and lives that could have been saved if they had used one. With these alarming numbers, drivers and passengers should always ensure that they use seatbelts when they go out on the road. Although there has already been a significant increase of 85 percent in the number of people using safety driving devices, there are still thousands that could have been saved if they had used one.
The report says that 63 percent of unrestrained passenger vehicle fatalities come from occupants aged 25 to 34. People from ages 21 to 24 land in the second spot at 61 percent. The 60 percent figure from people aged 16 to 20 is tied with those 35 to 44. Additionally, the total number of deaths based on gender shows that men are about twice as likely as women to die in an accident while unrestrained. About 56 percent of men who suffered fatalities are found to not have used seat belts while 43 percent of these deaths involved women. Moreover, passengers in the back seat have a higher fatality rate at 63 percent while only 50 percent of drivers are killed.
The report also implies that people who are driving unrestrained in pickup trucks have the most fatalities at 64 percent, but passenger fatalities are even higher at 68 percent. SUV drivers and passengers come next with 57 percent and 64 percent respectively. Meanwhile, 47 percent of drivers killed in vans without wearing seatbelts, and passengers die at 53 percent. With passenger cars, there are still more fatalities in passengers than drivers.

This infographic was designed and developed by The S. E. Farris Law Firm, St. Louis' trusted accident attorney.