UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

The Skinny on Seatbelt Safety

Even though you can't drive, you can do your part to get from point A to point B safely. Seatbelts are the secret. They lower your chances of getting hurt in a car accident. And if that weren't enough, wearing your seatbelt is the law. In 21 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, police officers can pull you over for not wearing your seatbelt. Remind mom, dad and your brothers, sisters, and friends to Buckle Up!

Seatbelts can only do their job if they are worn properly. Adjust the lap belt to fit snugly across your lower hips. If the lap belt sits on your tummy, it's too high and can cause injury.

The shoulder strap should be tight across your chest. It shouldn't be near your neck. It might feel more comfortable to put the shoulder strap under your arm or behind your back—but don't give into temptation! You can get hurt by wearing your belt wrong.

Seatbelts will keep you in place and prevent you falling too far forward or falling through the window. The impact of a car accident can be intense, and the seatbelt can be the difference between life and death.

FastFacts:

• Eleven thousand lives, the size of a small town, are saved each year from people wearing their seatbelts.
• Eighty percent of Americans wear their seatbelts. Remind everyone in your car to put their belt on!
• A little over half of all car crashes that take place each year are only 5 miles away from where the trip started.