However, the problem is you can't count on luck when it comes to safety. The Soldier who died in this accident was one of 24 others who chose to be unbelted and didn't survive during fiscal 2009. However, there's another interesting number regarding these accidents. The Soldier who died in this accident was 25 years old. That proved to be the average age for unbelted Soldiers dying in privately owned vehicle crashes.
What did it cost the unbelted Soldier' According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American can expect to live almost 78 years. Stack that up against a person dying at 25 and you'll see they lost more than two-thirds their likely life span. Doesn't seem fair, does it' What could those 53 years have held' If he could, what would the Soldier pay to get that time back' Think he'd be willing to buckle his seat belt' How about you'
However, people find all kinds of excuses for ignoring the value of seat belts. Here are some classics.
"I don't need seat belts - my air bags will protect me." Trouble is, if you're unbelted, you'll likely just slide around the air bag and hit something much harder. Seat belts and air bags are designed to work together.
"I'm not going that far and I'm not going that fast." The truth is most fatal accidents happen within 25 miles of home at speeds less than 40 mph.
"They're uncomfortable." That might have been true in the early days, but today's seat belts are adjustable to restrain drivers and passengers comfortably. Indeed, they're a lot more comfortable than the adjustable belts on stretchers and backboards.
"They'll wrinkle my clothes." That may be true. However, if seat belts are hard on clothes, just wait and see what windshields do to faces. And some of those "wrinkles" never come out.
"If my car goes into the water, I may be trapped inside and unable to get out." In reality, being restrained improves your chances of remaining conscious and escaping your vehicle.
"I'm a good driver - I'll never be in an accident." Just because you're a good driver doesn't mean everybody else is. When some distracted, impatient or aggressive driver "invites" you to their accident, you'll need your seat belt.
"When it's my time to go, it's my time to go." During 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did a study that disproved this idea. They found using seat belts would have prevented nearly half of all driver fatalities and well over one-third of all front-seat passenger fatalities that year. Just because an impatient driver decides to go through a red light doesn't mean it's your time to "go" too. And just because some distracted kid is dialing on his cell phone doesn't mean that God is calling you too.
However, as Soldiers, you can bet the Army does have your number - it's Army Regulation 385-10 - and has left a few messages on your "answering machine." For example, one says, "Occupant protective devices will be worn by all Soldiers driving or riding in a POV whether on or off the installation." That means when you go off post, the buckle stays on. And you are your "brother's keeper" on the road. The message says, "The vehicle operator is responsible for informing passengers of the occupant protective device requirement and the senior occupant is responsible for enforcement." And there's even a message for those who aren't green-suiters. The AR says, "All personnel, to include Family members, guests, and visitors, will wear occupant protective devices at any time on an Army installation."
Notice a common theme in most of these messages' Seat belts are never "optional" equipment. After all, when your life is on the line during an accident, what's luck got to do with it'
Social Sharing