THE MYTH
If your car has air bags you don’t need a seat belt.
THE REAL DEAL
Air bags are designed to protect a buckled occupant. When unbuckled, airbags become less effective or worse, can become deadly themselves.
THE MYTH
If you’re not going far or traveling fast seat belts aren’t necessary.
THE REAL DEAL
Seemingly routine trips can be deceptively dangerous. Most fatal crashes happen within 25 miles from home and at speeds of less than 40 mph.
THE MYTH
Your seat belt can hurt you in a crash.
THE REAL DEAL
In a crash, everything in your car can harm you – your seat belt is one of the few things that can actually save you.
THE MYTH
Seat belts can trap you in a fire or underwater.
THE REAL DEAL
Incidents involving fire or water account for ½ of 1 percent of all crashes. But more importantly, you can’t escape such dangers unless you’re conscious. Wearing a seat belt gives you a much greater chance of being conscious and able-bodied.
THE MYTH
It’s not as essential for guys to wear seat belts; they’re much better drivers.
THE REAL DEAL
Young men are most at risk. Among passenger vehicle occupants, men ages 18-34, who were killed in fatal crashes, 66% were not buckled – the highest of any age group
THE MYTH
Just being in a pickup truck makes you safer than everyone else.
THE REAL DEAL
For SUV, pickup, and van occupants, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent.
Seat belts are the most effective safety feature ever invented and have helped save thousands of lives. Sadly, one in five Americans fail to regularly wear a seat belt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Starting Monday, May 20, 2013 the Fort Myers Police Department will participate in the 2013 national “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement campaign. The extra enforcement will take place through June 2, 2013. Don’t get faked out. Seat belt citations in the City of Fort Myers carry a fine of $113.
Shelly Flynn [sflynn@fmpolice.com]