Seat Belt Safety Statistics

[HeyHomie]

My google-fu has failed me, after trying various iterations of the words “safety belt statistics” and related words.

What I’m trying to find is a comparison of automobile fatalities wherein:

1. The use of the safety belt was a mitigating factor in the victim’s death (eg, he was trapped in a submerged vehicle; he was trapped in a burning vehicle, etc).

2. The use of a safety belt saved his life; he would have died if he hadn’t been wearing his safety belt.

3. The safety belt made no difference; he would have died with or without it.

I ask because Mrs. Homie has a fried who refuses to wear her seatbelt because a) She doesn’t want to be trapped in a burning/sinking car; b) if the accident is bad enough she’s going to die anyway.

Obviously her logic is flawed, but I’d like to be able to back up my arguement.

[Duckster]

@HeyHomie

… if the accident is bad enough she’s going to die anyway.

Tell her she can expect to die in a collision where she’s only going 25 mph. And if she doesn’t die, she probably will have irreversible brain damage and a burden to her family for a while. Also, in a civil suit she could be hit with negligence. Is that a legacy she wants to leaver her family?

Just sayin’.

Does this help? —> http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Occupant+Protection

[LSLGuy]

@HeyHomie

…

1. The use of the safety belt was a mitigating factor in the victim’s death (eg, he was trapped in a submerged vehicle; he was trapped in a burning vehicle, etc).
   …

“Mitigating” means reducing or counteracting. I think you want “contributing” there if you’re asking about situations where the safety belt made the accidental injuries worse, not better.

[HeyHomie]

@LSLGuy

“Mitigating” means reducing or counteracting. I think you want “contributing” there if you’re asking about situations where the safety belt made the accidental injuries worse, not better.

Point taken. :smack: