You're in more danger if you're wearing seat belts when your car catches fire or goes under water.
Reality:
Less than 10-percent of auto collisions involve fire or drowning. Thirty-percent occur at speeds under 40 mph and involve head, neck, and chest injuries. These are injuries seat belts help prevent or minimize.
Myth:
Seat belts aren't necessary if you're only making a short trip.
Reality:
Most fatal accidents occur 25 miles from home. Safety belts give you a 45-percent better chance of surviving a serious crash and a 50-percent better chance of escaping injury. They're the cheapest, most effective defensive measure you can take.
Don't get tripped up by the myths, please buckle-up!
This article includes copyrighted material used with permission from the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course and their annual publication Accident Facts.
