As seat belt repair and replacements experts, we understand how important seat belts are. And while there are many innovations and developments related to the automobile industry, it might surprise many of you that the humble seat belt might just be the most impactful. Seat belts go a long way when it comes to keeping passengers and drivers safe in case of an accident. Despite how vital they are to automobile safety, it’s rather surprising how little people actually know about seat belts and how they keep you safe.
To help make up for the lack of knowledge, we thought it would be helpful to put together a brief discussion on seat belts and how they safeguard passenger safety in case of auto collisions.
History of Seat Belt Use
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that seat belts have saved millions (if not billions) of lives since they were invented back in the 1800s. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention details that seat belts dramatically decrease the chances of death or serious injury.
Given this, you’d assume that seat belts were always widely accepted. However, this just isn’t the case as seat belts were quite controversial when they were first released to the general public. So much so that many Americans were against the mandatory use of seat belts. Luckily, the public sentiment towards seat belts has shifted wildly as seat belts as seat belt use has reached 91% in the United States.
How Seat Belts Keep You Safe
Seat belts protect passengers and drivers in different ways. Here are a few of the most important benefits attached to wearing seat belts:
- Seat Belts Protect Drivers and Passengers
As we’ve stated above, seat belts minimize risk during car accidents and collisions. This applies to both passengers and drivers. As long as you are wearing your seat belt properly, the risk of death is reduced drastically. To really understand the importance of seat belts, take note that not wearing a seat belt is one of the leading reasons for fatalities in car crashes. - Seat Belts Help You Avoid Serious Injuries
Aside from safeguarding your life, seat belts will also help you avoid serious injuries. So much so that you may even walk away from an accident or collision without a scratch. By avoiding injuries, you are also effectively saving you thousands of dollars in medical bills. - It Helps You Keep Insurance Rates Low
Constantly not wearing a seat belt not only puts you at risk but will also make life significantly harder for you. If you are a repeat offender for not wearing a seat belt, your insurance provider will take notice and will lead to you being subjected to a higher insurance premium. There are also extreme cases where your insurer may cancel your auto coverage altogether.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped give you a better understanding of seat belts and just how important they are to any vehicle. As you can see, they are the single most important piece of technology in your car. A functional seat belt that is used correctly will literally be the difference between life and death in case you are ever involved in an accident.
We here at SRS Restore specialize in seat belt replacement and seat belt repair. For any seat belt issues, don’t hesitate to contact us today!