History
More than 30,000 Americans died before the 1550’s because of car accidents. They first
came up with the idea of seatbelts when they found out that there was a thing called the “second
crash” where after the initial crash, the passengers crash into something again. In 1966 congress
first passed the seatbelt legislation. (The Gale Group, 2003) It took many, many years to create
the seatbelts that we use today. In the 1930’s U.S physicians started supplying lap belts in the
newer cars. The next big step was in 1954, when the Sports Car club drivers were required to use
lap belts when they are racing. When that happened it encouraged a lot of people to get them
installed in their cars too. In 1956, along with the lap belt,
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Two years later, most of the U.S manufacturers provided seatbelts in
the front positions. On January 31st of 1983, it became compulsory for all passengers to wear
seatbelts for a three-year trial period. There was a 90% success rate. After having such a high
success rate, they required seatbelts to be used by children fourteen and under by law. This law
passed in 1989. Shortly after that law was made, in 1991, adults were required to wear seat belts
while sitting in the back. Also, during this time period, there were commercials on T.V that were
showing what happens to unbelted people, and how seatbelts could decrease the death rate by
60%. In 1996, there were seatbelts installed in minibuses and coaches carrying groups of
children and groups. 2003, was the 20th anniversary of seatbelts, and they recorded that they have
saved 50,000 lives. (ROSPA)
How it works
Kendall Paine
Period 2
January 23,
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And, there were no occupants with a
fatal accident. (Road Saftey Observitory)
During the year of 2014, there were 21,022 passengers that died in motor vehicle
accidents. 53%-59% of teens (ages 13-19) and adults (ages 20-44) were unrestrained. More than
Kendall Paine
Period 2
January 23, 2017
4
2.3 million drivers and passengers were treated in emergency departments due to motor vehicle
traffic accidents. Young adult drivers and passengers (ages 18-24) have the highest crash related
non-fatal injury rates of all adults. More than $45 billion dollars were spent for lifetime medical
work, and work loss costs in the year 2013. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016)
How would I improve it?
There are many ways to improve the effectiveness of the seatbelt. One of the ways that I
would improve it, is to have the part of the seat belt that connects to the side of the car, adjust in
size. So, if you are shorter, the seat belt gets placed in the correct places on your body. I feel like
this should be used, because I have seen many cases where children put the chest strap of the
seatbelt behind their shoulder, because it is rubbing on the top part of their