GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – According to the Colorado State Patrol, Colorado has an 88% seat belt use rate, which is 4% less than the nation’s seat belt use rate. In efforts to close that gap, CSP is launching a campaign on the top ten reasons to wear a seatbelt.
The first, and most obvious reason, wearing a seatbelt can seriously decrease your chances of injury or death in a car crash. Worsened injuries can lead to PTSD and significant mental trauma as well as long-term disabilities. These injuries would lead to higher medical bills, extended hospital stays, and possible rehabilitation expenses.
Not fastening your seatbelt could make certain safety features less effective, such as your vehicle’s airbags.
Not wearing a seatbelt could also impact your wallet, leading to higher insurance claims if you’ve been injured in a car accident. A defense attorney could claim that your injuries would have been less severe had you been wearing a seatbelt. On top of insurance claims, your auto insurance rates will also skyrocket.
Your choice not to wear a seatbelt can affect more than just yourself. If you’re not buckled in, your body will likely be jolted around in a crash, which could lead to hurting your passengers. In addition to injuries, your loved ones can pick up on your bad habits and choose not to wear their seatbelts.
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Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.