National Seat Belt Day

National Seat Belt Day

National Seat Belt Day

National Seat Belt Day is Nov. 14. In 2019, Uber, Volvo and the Governors’ Highway Association joined forces to promote the importance of wearing a seat belt each time a person rides in a motor vehicle. It’s been over 60 years since the invention of the modern seat belt, and great strides in design and technology have helped make sure three-point seat belts are now a standard feature in cars. Participation in National Seat Belt Day can involve posting photos of yourself and others wearing their seat belt on social media with the hashtag #NationalSeatBeltDay and spreading reminders of the importance of seat belt usage and motor vehicle safety.

While wearing a seat belt may be second nature for you, and it might be difficult to imagine people would choose not to wear a seat belt, unfortunately there are still a significant amount of people who choose not to wear a seat belt or forget to do so. Statistics show roughly half of the individuals who die in motor vehicle collisions were not wearing a seat belt. Seat belts have been proven to save lives, and National Seat Belt Day wants to keep that message at the forefront of every occupant of a motor vehicle’s mind.

While National Seat Belt Day is officially recognized on Nov. 14, every day should be a seat belt day. Children should be taught from their earliest age that wearing seat belts is not optional. This can be accomplished by explaining that seat belts keep people safe while riding in a car. Adults can model this behavior and enforce the importance and necessity of wearing a seat belt by always wearing one themselves. Do not start operating the car until all occupants are buckled up. Remind children that seat belts must be worn for the entirety of the ride, and that there are no excuses to take off seat belts while the car is moving. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye and wearing a seat belt can be the difference between life and death.