WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? JUST BUCKLE UP

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Maxwell B. Tinsley
  • Ground Safety, 366 Fighter Wing
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Everyday we get in our vehicles and head to work, take a road trip with the family or simply run some errands around town. Our decision to get behind the wheel and journey on to the open roads comes with many responsibilities and risks associated with driving a motor vehicle. There are many dangers involved when operating a motor vehicle, but it is our responsibility to limit as many of the risks involved. Many of these risks are out of our control, but remembering to buckle up when you get behind the wheel greatly increases the safety of you and your passengers once you decide to go for a drive.

Unfortunately, many drivers and passengers feel that wearing seat belts is not necessary. Why is this? As I began to dive into this topic a bit deeper, I found the majority of individuals that didn't routinely wear seat belts had no specific reasoning behind it. One Airman I talked to said that he believed seat belts saved lives and should be worn, but he has never been in a habit of buckling up. A female I spoke with offered a similar response. She told me that she just doesn't think about it when she gets in the car. While randomly asking people about the use of seat belts, I found the vast majority always wore them and required their passengers to do the same.

This was not the case with one Airman I spoke with. I asked this gentleman if he wears his seatbelt while driving. His response was a bit surprising. He gave me several reasons for not wearing his seatbelt, but one his responses floored me. This Airman explained the process of leaning and how far his seat was laid back and it was very uncomfortable to wear a seatbelt in this position. As I hysterically laughed at this, I shortly realized that he was completely serious. Of course, I began giving my pitch on how cool it was to be alive and that wearing a seat belt played a major role. I was sure this was a reasonable excuse to buckle up. This is one of many reasons we have to continue to educate our co-workers, family and friends about the importance of seat belt use and why.

Recently, we tragically lost one of our fellow Gunfighter's in a vehicle accident. There were several factors that may have contributed to this mishap. Like many of the people I talked to, he did not like to wear a seatbelt. The decision not to buckle up, ultimately, cost this young man his life.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 15,000 lives are saved each year in the United States because drivers and passengers were wearing seatbelts during accidents. The Idaho Transportation Department states that Idaho is almost 10% below the national average of seat belt usage. Of the 156 passenger motor vehicle occupants killed in 2009, only 64 were using seat belts. The NHTSA estimates seat belts are 50% effective in preventing fatalities and serious injuries. By this estimate, there were 64 lives saved in 2009 by seat belt usage and an additional 43 lives (half of those killed and unbelted) could have been saved if everyone had buckled up.

These numbers are extremely alarming. What is more alarming is the number of people who still continue not to buckle up. Statistics prove that seat belts save lives. There are many detractors that have their own theories and experiences about not wearing them, but this is very much the minority. Let's all be a part of changing this culture and the selfish thoughts about the use of seat belts. The loss of life has an everlasting affect on the loved ones of individuals killed. This can be prevented. Continue to preach it and educate anyone who needs to hear this message. Trust me, it is cool to be alive.