Road Safety Week Reminder: Seatbelts Save Lives
Road Safety Week Reminder: Seatbelts Save Lives
Road Safety Week is a nationwide campaign that focuses on raising awareness about road safety issues like the prevention of accidents and general road safety. The week emphasizes the importance of responsible driving and advocating for better road infrastructure to reduce accidents and save lives.
Steps Drivers Can Take to Stay Safe on the Road
Driver Maintenance
One of the first steps drivers can take to ensure road safety is staying up to date on equipment maintenance. Many accidents on the road occur due to equipment-related issues that could have been prevented with routine maintenance checks. Developing a routine for checking things like tire pressure, brakes and other critical equipment components can go a long way in preventing accidents.
Avoid Distracted Driving
Although avoiding distracted driving seems like the most obvious way to practice road safety, many drivers fall for the temptations of multitasking while behind the wheel. Promoting safe driving practices is paramount in curbing the prevalence of distracted driving. For example, eliminating the use of technology. Using your phone while driving increases the risk of an accident. Although you may think it is not a big deal to quickly reply to a text, taking your eyes off the road for even one second could result in an accident. When tempted to send a text, pull over and safely park before replying.
Wear Your Seatbelt
Wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest and most effective steps drivers can take to protect themselves on the road. Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of severe injury in the event of an accident by helping to keep the driver securely in place and as in control as possible of the vehicle during impact. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives and could have saved an additional 2,549 people if they had been wearing seat belts in 2017 alone.
How Seatbelts Save Lives
Modern lap-shoulder seatbelts are designed to spread impact forces across the shoulder, torso and hips, reducing the strain on vulnerable areas like the head. This helps minimize the severity of any injuries that may be occurring due to the force of the accident. For truck drivers, the seatbelt also prevents contact with the steering wheel, dashboard and other interior parts of the vehicle, which also lowers the risk of serious injury. However, seatbelts can only do their job if they are worn correctly. Check out these guidelines from the NHTSA about the correct way to buckle up.
- The lap belt and shoulder belt are secured across the pelvis and rib cage, which are better able to withstand crash forces than other parts of your body.
- Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck.
- The lap belt rests across your hips, not your stomach.
- NEVER put the shoulder belt behind your back or under an arm.
Following these steps will increase not only drivers’ chances of safety during an accident, but increase the safety of others on the road. At PTP Transport, we reward drivers for putting safety first. Join PTP as we bring awareness to Road Safety and responsible driving behavior.
At PTP Transport, we operate with a culture of safety. We reward drivers for putting safety first, which is why we offer drivers safety and performance bonuses, up to date equipment and 24/7 Penske Roadside assistance. To learn more about PTP, visit our contact page or give us a call at 334-539-5965.