Seat Belt Risk

• 52% of reported auto crashes occur within 5 miles or less of home and 77% occur within 15 miles or less of home.
• Injuries from auto accidents may result in a loss of independence, loss of mobility, difficulty in caring for self and managing one's home.
• Some seniors believe that seat belts reduce the severity of injury in motor vehicle crashes but incorrectly believe that they are not at risk when driving on short, familiar, low speed trips.
• Seat belts are the most effective means to reduce fatalities and serious injuries when automobile accidents occur.
• Seat belts should be worn whether you are a driver or a passenger.

• Use seat-belts every time you are in a car (or in the senior center van.)
• Become a full-time seat belt user instead of a part-time seat belt user.

• Call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
  1-888-327-4236

• The Auto Safety Hotline provides a brochure on seat belt safety:
  1-800-424-9393

 WEB LINKS 

• American Association of Retired Persons: www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: www.NHTSA.dot.gov