Wearing A Safety Belt Isn’t Just For Your Safety

By:Gregg Hall

When the mandatory seat belt law came into effect in my state of Florida at first I thought it was ridiculous. I mean, who does the government think they are to tell me I have to wear my seat belt? I obviously wasn’t alone; I had a lot of friends who were ticketed for not wearing a seat belt. Well, I have to admit that I have probably been saved twice from them. The first time I fell asleep at the wheel driving home late one night from an auto auction and I rolled the car several times and ended up in between pine trees with all the windows busted out and half of the roof caved in. I walked way from it. The second time I was hit from the rear while driving a full size extra cab truck, the truck was totaled, I had injuries but could have been killed. The seatbelt kept me from going through the windshield.

Our first notion when we are told that we must do something or else, is to rebel against those who are commanding us even though it may be for our own good. The statistics speak for themselves, seat belts save lives. The old excuse of “If I don’t wear a seat belt, I will be thrown clear of the wreckage” doesn’t fly. If you get thrown from a vehicle you will probably die or at the least be crippled. In a report from 2002 well over 70% of those ejected from a vehicle died and it was said that of 33,000 passengers killed, nearly 60% were not wearing seat belts. The primary cause of death in ages four to thirty four is car accidents.

Another common excuse is that the seat belt is uncomfortable. This is not a good excuse either. Seat belts today have a range of adjustments to make them more comfortable no matter what size you are. Besides, it isn’t nearly as uncomfortable as a neck brace, or a coffin.

Another thing people say is they have never been in a wreck, that they are a safe driver. Remember my story from above, it wasn’t my fault when I got hit from behind and even though I had neck and back injuries because I was hit so hard I could have very easily been taken away with a sheet over my head. The odds are against you, in a 10 year period 80% of drivers will be in an accident.

Don’t think that airbags alone will save you either. You have probably heard of people being killed by airbags. It usually happens because the person wasn’t wearing their seat belt and the airbag hit them right in the face at 200 mph.

Don’t care for your safety? What about the safety of those in the vehicle with you? People don’t stop to think about that. If you are in the car without a seat belt on and you have someone in the car with you, particularly a child who is smaller, the force of your body being thrown into them could kill them. That fact alone should be enough to make you buckle up.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: car wax, car care products

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. To keep your car looking new go to http://www.carcarewizards.com for car care products.

Top Cars and Trucks Articles
1). 2008 Chery QQ: Sneak Peak! By : Matthew C. Keegan China’s Chery Automotive Group is getting set to import as many as five vehicles into the US starting in the summer of 2007. These 2008 models are reportedly going to be cheaper than competing models in their respective classes, undercutting some models by as much as $10,000 per car. I have been doing a little investigating and have learned more about the Chery QQ, the three door compact that will retail for just $6995.
2). Geely Cars: Gotta Get One? By : Matthew C. Keegan I mentioned in a related article that the first batch of Chinese built cars to be imported to the U.S. is only a few years away. In that article, I discussed Chery Automobiles and how the company has its designs on the American market, particularly in the entry level category. Well, now a second manufacturer – Geely Automotive Company – is also planning on bringing at least one model to the U.
3). Why Ford Motor Company Is Losing Market Share Fast To Hyundai By : David Maillie Ford is fast losing market share to automotive companies like Hyundai. This article shows why and what Ford can do to turn themselves around before it is too late. Someone should definitely email this to Fords executives before it is too late.
4). How To Avoid Auto Repair and Service Scams By : David Maillie There’s a reason why auto service stations have one of the largest numbers of complaints with state attorney generals in every state. Some uphold good business practices and ethics, but most, unfortunately are all about profit and don’t care if they have to lie and cheat to get it.
5). Ford Focus Is 'Comfortable And Versatile' By : Kwik Fit The UK's best selling car at the moment; the Ford Focus, is a comfortable and versatile mode of transport, according to the manufacturers, who claim the latest model is longer and wider than before. With a variety of body shapes available in several trim levels, the Ford Focus costs from £11,395 on-the-road for the three-door 1.4 Studio model, to £19,200 for the 1.
6). 2006 Mitsubishi Raider: A Rebadged Delight! By : Matthew C. Keegan If you were to examine the new Mitsubishi Raider, your eyes would behold the unmistakable triad logo centered in the middle of its beefy looking grille. However, as you let your eyes run the full length of the truck’s body and take a look at its styling cues, you would see something different, yet very familiar. Indeed, apart from some fascia, body, and cabin changes, the Raider is without a doubt a Dodge Dakota.
7). Fuel-Efficient Ford Cars: The New Trend By : Jason Moore With gas prices soaring straight into oblivion, automobile customers and the rest of the auto market are looking for vehicles that would save their pockets from getting into trouble. Studies and research have found out that the numbers are showing that customers are leaning towards those vehicles that would assure them that they would not have to spend much on gas.
8). Jaguar X Type: The Classic Luxury Sports Car By : Jennifer Dylan Built on a modified version of the Ford CD 132 platform, the Jaguar X Type is considered to be just another version of the Ford Mondeo. Take away the badge and the name from the Ford Mondeo and put in Jaguar badges, you would be getting the the Jaguar X Type. In fact the platform which it was built on was just a modified version of the Ford CDW 27 platform which is what the Ford Mondeo uses.
9). How to Create Your Own Vanity Plates By : Kevin Anderson Vanity plates, for some people, are just an added expense, for in some states, they do charge people with vanity plates an annual fee for them. However, there are some people who would opt to have vanity plates so as to show off and tell people more about themselves. Aside from telling people what kind of person they are, vanity plates also serve as channels and media for people to shout out to the rest of the driving world some messages that they would like to get across.
10). 2006 Toyota Matrix: Value Meets Fun By : Matthew C. Keegan During the early part of this decade Toyota was examining its vehicle line up and the decision was made to build a car to entice young people who were looking for something that was small, fun to drive, and affordable. While the Corolla served faithfully in this capacity, Toyota needed something that spoke excitement. The Corolla just wasn’t that kind of a car and something radically different was needed.

New Cars and Trucks Articles
1). How To Choose The Right Car Cover That Will Not Damage Your Car By : Gregg Hall Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garage to keep their car in and even if you do you may be like me and have too much junk to be able to park your car there.
2). Peugeot 206cc. Open Cruising With a Little French Flair By : Kerry Plowright The French have long been regarded as the leaders in style, and this reputation is well justified in the Peugeot 206cc (coupe cabriolet).
3). Satellite Radio, the New Frontier in Broadcasting By : Jerry Cahill Do you enjoy more control over your radio listening? If you are willing to pay a small monthly fee you can have a much greater radio listening opportunity.
4). Are Flex Fuel And Biodiesel Viable Options? By : Mike Eggert Once thought of as only a dream, Flex fuel vehicles are fast becoming a reality. The high cost of gasoline and fuels like Diesel have prompted auto makers around the world to start building automobiles that will burn more than one type of fuel.
5). Find Auto Parts Fast and Enjoy Great Savings Shopping Online By : Ray La Foy Money can be saved by replacing these parts yourself, but sometimes trying to find the right parts to fix things up is nearly impossible.
6). Smart Shoppers Save More on Vehicles and Financing By : Ray La Foy Finding the best deals on automobiles will often involve the number and type needed and the kind of credit your company has.
7). How To Get A Cheap Car Rental By : John Layton Always look for the best car rental offer.
8). Should You Go Topless For Your Next Sports Car? By : Gregg Hall Living in Florida we have many days when a convertible is highly desirable, especially in the spring and fall when temperatures are really comfortable.
9). IRS Incentives for Hybrid Owners By : Michael Plante The hybrid car has not come into the world without a shroud of rumors following carefully behind. From rumors of exploding batteries, electrical and digital nightmares, and poorly met expectations letting down consumers, the hybrid has had to struggle to overcome many misconceptions...
10). Rising Car Arson And Insurance Fraud Costs Everyone By : David Maillie Car owners locked into payments they can’t afford with the increasing gas costs and our current economic slowdown have turned to arson to get rid of their debts.