No matter where your journey takes you – whether it’s a short drive across town or a long road trip – one of the most essential safety precautions is often the simplest: wearing a seatbelt. Buckling up, both for yourself and ensuring your passengers do the same, is a habit that can save lives.
Seatbelts are designed to keep you secure in the event of an accident, significantly reducing the risk of injury or fatality. In fact, studies have consistently shown that wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of death by up to 45%. In a crash, the force exerted on the body can be catastrophic, but a seatbelt helps to distribute the impact forces over stronger parts of your body, such as the pelvis and rib cage, minimizing the chance of serious injury.
This simple action also affects the safety of those around you. Passengers, especially children, need to be properly secured to prevent harm. It’s essential to use the appropriate car seats for younger children and ensure everyone in the car is properly fastened.
While it may be tempting to skip the seatbelt for a quick drive, the statistics show that many accidents happen close to home.
Even a few seconds of neglect can result in life-altering consequences. A car crash can happen in the blink of an eye, but the choice to buckle up is one that can make all the difference.
So, always remember – no matter where you’re traveling, buckle up. It’s a small step that can save a life.
Produced by
Safety and Victims Advocacy Foundation (The Gambia)
In collaboration with The Traffic Pulse Newsletter
The Traffic Pulse Newsletter
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