MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop D Headquarters - 3131 East Kearney - Springfield, MO 65803


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. D.S. Bracker
417-895-6767 ext.253
D2009-50
December 16, 2009

EMPHASIS: Holiday Season Should Motivate Motorists To Wear Seat Belts.


In the midst of the holiday season people often reflect on missed loved ones, opportunities lost, family, friends, and the future. The Patrol also reflects, during this time of year, on opportunities missed by motorists whose lives could have been saved in motor vehicle crashes -- if occupants would have worn seat belts.

The chance of being in a vehicle crash in your lifetime is virtually 100 percent. On average you’ll be in a traffic crash every 10 years. A driver, in a 2008 Missouri traffic crash had a 1 in 29 chance of being killed if they were not wearing a seat belt. In those cases where a driver wore a seat belt, their chance of being killed was 1 in 1,322. Nationwide, using lap/shoulder belts cuts your chances of being killed or seriously injured in a crash 45-50 percent.

In just the last four days there have been two, single vehicle, fatality crashes in Christian County. By all accounts, these crashes were survivable, if seat belts had been worn by the drivers. Vehicles today are made to sustain incredible impacts, collapsing at specific engineered points on the vehicle to allow occupants the absolute best chance of survival. Seat belts keep drivers/passengers secured inside the impacted vehicle; the safest place for an occupant during a traffic crash. Nationally, traffic crashes kill about five people every hour ... In Missouri, one person is killed every nine hours.

Troop D Commander, Captain Juan O. Villanueva, reminds all motorists to slow down this holiday season, and wear your seat belt at all times, whether you are the driver or passenger in a vehicle. Buckle Up!