Over the years car safety has increased through a variety of ways. Seatbelts have always been an integral part of a car’s safety equipment, but the recent awareness to a seatbelt’s effectiveness has increased the amount of drivers using them. Along with seatbelts, the increase in the effectiveness of airbags and child restrain systems has added to the safety of cars. (Source 1)
Here are some auto safety facts to help show the effectiveness (measured in ability to reduce the risk of a fatal car crash) of safety devices when combined or used separately:
Airbags Only – 12%
Seatbelt Only – 42%
Airbag and Seatbelt Combined – 47%
These facts show the primary auto safety system is the seatbelt. While the airbag adds to the effectiveness of preventing a fatal crash, the numbers show that an airbag should not replace the use of a seatbelt. A seatbelt helps reduce the speed the driver is moving at during a crash. If a driver were not wearing a seatbelt during a 25mph crash, the driver would hit the steering wheel with the same force as a person falling form a 3rd floor balcony. (Source 1)
The equivalent of a seatbelt for children is the child restraint system. The child restraint system is an important part of an auto safety system for children. Tragically, more than 40% of children who die in car crashes are not in child restraint systems. Depending on the age and weight of the children, there are different systems that can be used. For children weighing up to 20 lbs. and under 1 year of age, a rear facing car seat should be used. For children over 1 year in age and weighing between 20-40 lbs. a forward facing car seat should be used. Finally, for children no longer able to fit in a forward facing car seat a booster seat should be used. (Source 1 & Source 2)
A final auto safety system that most drivers do not think about is the head restraint. The head restraint is a key component in helping prevent whiplash to drivers during rear end accidents. Unfortunately, nearly 3 million drivers a year suffer a whiplash injury in an accident. In order to help prevent whiplash from rear accidents, the head restraint should be positioned as closely to the head as possible. More information about head restraint effectiveness can be found at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website. (Source 1 & Source 3)
Auto safety has come a long way and will continue to improve. However, unless drivers utilize the safety systems that are provided to them and are aware of the effectiveness of the safety systems, fatal car accidents will continue to occur.
Sources
1. http://www.srisd.com/consumer_site/
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