Thursday morning, seat belts saved the lives of a driver and her four children after their SUV plummeted off a bridge. According to police, the driver saw heavy traffic ahead and slammed on the brakes. The SUV swerved and hit the concrete wall before diving off the bridge. The occupants of the SUV were taken to University Hospital and are expected to be okay.
Not all stories end on a happy note, however. Last month, in southeast Bexar County, a woman and two children, ages six and eight, died in a rollover crash. There were reportedly four children in the car, and none were buckled up.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans below the age of 54, and most of these crash-related deaths are passengers. In 2014, a total of 21,022 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. More than half of teens (aged 13-19 year) and adults (aged 20-44 years) who died in crashes that year were unrestrained at the time of the crash.
According to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and death by about half. In 2014, seat belts saved 12,802 lives. Airbags provide added protection, but are no substitute for seat belts. Air bags plus seat belts provide the best protection for adults in vehicles.
In Texas, the law requires drivers and all passengers to be secured with a safety belt. What can you do to help spread seat belt awareness? Start by setting a good example for others, especially your kids. Use your seat belt on every trip, no matter how short. Require everyone who rides in your car to buckle up, including everyone in your back seat. Make sure children are properly buckled up in a car seat or seat belt, whichever is appropriate for their age, height, and weight.
Be safe out on the road and buckle up, San Antonio! For more information, visit texasclickitorticket.com.