Q: I know we should always wear our seatbelts, so what should we do if there are more people in a car than seatbelts? Is it a good idea to buddy buckle?
The Buddy Buckle Is Not Your Buddy
Vintage Cars – Where To Put The Kids
Q: This week we have a couple questions about kids in vintage cars: I have a 1939 Packard, which of course has no seatbelts. I’d like to be able to give my grandkids a ride in the car but without seatbelts I can’t install a carseat. Is it legal to let a child under 12 ride in a car without seatbelts?
Seatbelts: Overrated For Cars With Airbags?
Q: Do airbags work better than seatbelts for protecting you in a crash? And if they do, shouldn’t the law be that you only have to wear seatbelts if your car doesn’t have airbags?
Continue reading “Seatbelts: Overrated For Cars With Airbags?”
Scary (Not Really) Seatbelt PSA
Starting next week, extra patrols will be happening all over Washington, focusing on drivers who don’t wear their seatbelts. If that’s you, you’re in a dwindling minority. About 95 percent of Washington drivers wear a seatbelt. This PSA takes a scary/humorous approach to the importance of wearing a seatbelt.
Seat Belts: Everybody’s Wearing Them (Almost)
Q; I’ve seen a lot of commercials reminding us to wear seat belts lately. Is that really still a problem? Doesn’t everyone wear a seat belt now?
A: You’re close. Almost everyone in Washington buckles up. Seat belt use in Washington is at about 95 percent. That’s seven points higher than the national average. Given that the use rates are so high, it seems like we could call it a win and move on. However, there is a caveat. (There always is, isn’t there?) Continue reading “Seat Belts: Everybody’s Wearing Them (Almost)”
Why Are Seat Belts Mandatory?
Q: Why are seat belts mandatory when it affects only the person who chooses not to wear it? I’ve heard of people who survived crashes by being thrown from the car while the passenger using the seat belt died. Or people who drown because they crash into water and can’t get their seat belt off. I think I should be able to make my own personal safety decisions.
A: Where do I start? Let’s take a look at the numbers. Last year 567 people were killed in traffic crashes in Washington. Of those who died, 113 were not using a seat belt.
Right now some of you who just read that are thinking, “If 80 percent of the people who died in car crashes were wearing seat belts, doesn’t that mean not wearing a seat belt is five times safer than wearing one?” Nope, and here’s why: About 95 percent of all drivers in Washington wear a seat belt, leaving 5 percent as non-users. Those non-users make up 20 percent of traffic fatalities. Continue reading “Why Are Seat Belts Mandatory?”
Ice Cube and Kevin Hart on Seatbelts
Okay, this isn’t exactly a PSA, at least not intentionally, but when Ice Cube and Kevin Hart got into the back seat of a car, this little bit of traffic safety wisdom popped out.
Embrace Life
I chose to start the PSA Smash Up with this one, because it gets me every time. This PSA conveys a powerful message without the need for a graphic crash scene. I think it works because we can relate to the relationships. And really, the main reason to drive safe is to get home to the people you care about.