Every 14 seconds someone is seriously injured and every 12 minutes someone is killed because they forgot, or refused, to do one simple thing: wear a seatbelt. Many individuals, especially college students, view themselves as invincible. They could never envision themselves as being seriously injured- or far worse- killed in a car accident. But it happens to roughly 50,000 Americans a year. I personally know the value of a seatbelt all too well. I was in a serious automobile accident 2 years ago in which a seatbelt probably saved my life. With all the devastating statistics and laws in many states requiring the use of seatbelts- 1 in 4 Americans still do not wear a seatbelt. Today I intend to inform you with the facts and maybe, if you don't already, you will begin to realize the importance of seatbelts, and start to buckle up. .
TRANSITION: Let's begin by reviewing the positive aspects of wearing a seatbelt. .
Simply put- seatbelts save lives. On average seatbelts are projected to save 9,500 lives annually. Properly securing a child in a correctly fastened safety seat improves his or her chances of surviving a crash by 75 %. It is particularly important, for us as a group of college students, because traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for people age 5- 27. So, for individuals are age, getting in an automobile is an activity we engage in daily, and yet one of the riskiest things we can do. .
TRANSITION: As if saving lives weren't reason enough to wear a seatbelt; it can also save taxpayers loads of money.
If American could reach an 85% safety belt use, we could prevent an estimated 4,194 fatalities and 102,518 injuries. This would save $6.7 billion dollars annually. Each serious injury prevented by seatbelts saves $ 35, 000 in health care costs on average. And of this cost- 74 % comes out of the pockets of American taxpayers. .
TRANSITION: With these statistics, why would any opt not to wear their seatbelt? .