SEATBELTS.
Did you know that the month of November is when the
greatest amount of deer/car accidents occurs? There aren't
many easy ways to prevent hitting a deer that has decided to make a state highway
its jogging track,
but there is one thing we can do to prevent injury to ourselves. Buckle up! Don't
think that serious injuries happen just on the highway where we are warned by
repeated postings of "Fasten Your Seatbelt" signs. A fatal accident
can happen when you simply get in your car to head to the post office or grocery
story.
It's simple. Just one click can save your life or save you a life of debilitating
injuries. Think of it this way: it will take you longer to read the following
news article than it would to fasten your seatbelt. Take the time and learn what
you are saving.
Why are seatbelts important? The most common cause
of accidental death in the United States is trauma suffered during a motor vehicle
accident. About 50,000
Americans die each year of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents and
more than four million victims sustain an injury in an auto crash.
In Wisconsin, it is the law that seatbelts must be worn. In 2000, nearly 12,000
lives were saved as the direct result of seatbelt usage. The chances of surviving
a severe auto accident improve by nearly 50 percent simply by wearing a seatbelt.
The chances of surviving a light truck crash improve by more than 60 percent
when being belted in that vehicle.
What are common injuries? The type of motor vehicle
accident will determine the type of injury a victim will sustain. Head-on collisions
cause significant head,
neck, chest, abdominal and extremity injuries. Broadside accidents contribute
to a great deal of internal organ damage and pelvis/hip injuries. Rear-end crashes
may injure a patient's neck, back and chest. It is important for the health care
provider to be apprised of the mechanism of injury. This will aid in appropriate
and expedient diagnosis.
Unrestrained vehicle occupants are frequently ejected from the vehicle and 75
percent of all motor vehicle fatalities involve a victim being ejected. Only
one percent of all people report being belted and then ejected from their auto
or truck. A victim that has been ejected frequently suffers severe head and body
trauma. In addition, this victim is at risk for severe internal injuries such
as a ruptured spleen, lacerated liver or a ruptured aorta. Most victims never
make it to the emergency department alive.
Why should seatbelts be worn at all times? About 75
percent of all auto accidents happen within a 25-mile radius from one's home.
About 80 percent of all accidents
happen at speed of 40 mph or less. Victims in crashes of 10 mph have been killed.
You have a 25-fold increase of being killed if thrown out of your vehicle. Most
Americans will be involved in one crash every 10 years. It is essential to remember
that the driver and passenger cannot control the actions of other vehicles and
drivers.
What should I do? Everyone, young and old, must wear
a seatbelt at all times when in a motor vehicle. Wisconsin is one of 49 states
that require all occupants
to be belted in a moving vehicle. New Hampshire is the only state that has not
adopted this legislation.
Primary seatbelt laws allow one to be cited for not wearing a seatbelt if observed
by law enforcement. Secondary seatbelt laws only allow for legal citations if
another motor vehicle infraction is noted at the time of the stop. Research has
shown that primary seatbelt laws have increased the usage of seatbelts and lives
have been saved.
It is really important that seatbelts be worn at all times. Contrary to the argument
of being trapped in a burning or submerged auto, the death rate is significantly
lower for victims involved in these accidents if seatbelts are worn. Also, these
types of accidents are quite rare.
Over the years, safety and medical literature has clearly shown that the increased
usage of seatbelts has improved the chances of surviving a severe auto crash.
It has also been shown that the chance for permanent disability is significantly
decreased with the consistent wearing of shoulder and lap belts. Why take a chance?
