Misconceptions that Kill #3: Seat Belts Make Vehicle Evacuation More Difficult

Today's misconception is the third in an on-going series on misconceptions that kill.  For most people, it seems obvious that seat belts in vehicles drastically decrease the chance of dying or being seriously injured in a car accident.  I have, however, heard from more than one person that wearing a seat belt can cause serious injury or even result in your death.  Those I've heard this from do not wear seat belts for this various reason.  So let's take a look at this argument. 

The CDC has a great site presenting the data that makes it clear seat belts save lives.  Wearing your seat belt does not mean you can't be killed by driving, but it drastically reduces the odds of dying or being seriously injured in an accident.

Policy Impact: Seat Belts

In 2009, 33,000 people were killed in vehicle accidents in the U.S.  Half of those were not wearing a seat belt.  Given far more than half of drivers wear a seat belt, this statistic shows you are far more likely to die while driving when not wearing a seat belt compared to wearing a seat belt.  

Let's get back to the evacuation argument.  It's possible that a driver needs to evacuate the vehicle as soon as possible.  Maybe the car is on fire or the car is sinking in a body of water.  Evacuating quickly could mean the difference between life and death.  Taking off your seat belt is an extra step, but does this extra step increase your odds of dying?  Snopes.com takes a look at this and says no.

Do seatbelts cause more deaths than they save lives?

Does taking your seat belt off increase the evacuation time?  Yes, that part is probably true, but the time is very short, and there's no evidence a seat belt has prevented someone from escaping a deadly fire or sinking vehicle.  There's anecdotal evidence, but that's not real evidence.  Was it really the seat belt or something else?  Was the person injured and immobile?  Was the dash or steering wheel crushed/moved to trap the body?  

But let's say that there was a documented case of a seat belt preventing someone from escaping.  Does that mean we shouldn't wear seat belts?  No!  Even if there is a death or two from wearing a seat belt, seat belts prevent far, far more deaths than cause them.  Not wearing a seat belt is a death wish.  The misconception that seat belts can prevent you from escaping a burning or sinking vehicle is one that can literally kill if you believe in it.  If you don't wear your seat belt for fear of being trapped in a burning car, you open yourself up to the far more likely event of dying in a blunt force car collision.  

Important!  When wearing your seat belt, be sure to wear it properly.  Never have the belt cut across your neck and always wear the shoulder harness.  Wearing a seat belt incorrectly can lead to one's death.  For more information on correctly wearing your seat belt, go here:

How to Properly Wear A Seat Belt