Seat Belt History and Tips

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By: Taranjit | Last Updated: November 23, 2020

Who was the first state to implement seat belts? Which car was the first to install them? What are the laws around seat belts?

All questions I am sure you are dying to know the answers to (note my sarcasm), but it is interesting to look back on how it all started. And if history is not your thing, keep scrolling for some tips on seat belt use.

Seat Belt Firsts

1978:

Tennessee was the first state to pass a law that required children to be properly restrained.

1984:

New York was the first state to pass a law that made wearing seat belts mandatory.

1993:

North Carolina was the first place to start a “Click It or Ticket” campaign that was implemented statewide. It has been found that the campaign increased belt use from 64% to 80% within the first 3 weeks

Early 2000s:

Volvo was the first car manufacture in the United States that had a system that would alert the driver when passengers in the back seats were not buckled up.

Seat Belt Laws

The law on seat belt use varies from state to state, but it also varies on whether the law requires just front seat passengers to wear a seat belt or all passengers. Apparently, the states where all passengers are required to wear a seat belt saw 84% of back seat passengers wearing a seat belt; whereas, states that do not have this law saw only 63% of back seat passengers buckled up.

Only 49 states have passed a seat belt law, and among these 49, 35 states have a primary seat belt law and 15 states have a secondary law for front seat occupants. According to NOPUS, the National Occupant Protection Use Survey, the chances of people complying with wearing a seat belt is higher in states that have a primary law for seat belt use over those where it is a secondary law or no law at all.

States that switched from a secondary seat belt law to a primary law saw car related deaths decrease by 7%. In fact, in 2018, it was found that seat belt use was higher in occupants of SUVs at 92%, followed by occupants of cars at 90%, and then followed by occupants of pickup trucks at 84%.

The only state that has not passed a seat belt law is New Hampshire. They are the only state that does not have a law requiring adult vehicle occupants to wear a seat belt, but they do have a law for child passengers under the age of 18.

On a slightly different note, there are some states that allow adults to ride in the back of a pickup truck without restraints. I know crazy, right? I would never ride in the bed of a truck. I know this is something that is commonly seen in some places, especially in other countries, where traffic laws are not as strict and people do whatever they want. Despite this, I would not recommend doing this because you are increasing your risk of getting injured if the vehicle was ever involved in a crash. And with nothing holding you down, you can easily be sent flying out of the bed of the truck which would not be a pretty ending.

Tips to Use a Seat Belt Properly:

1. Both shoulder and lap belt are necessary.

Make sure that the shoulder belt goes across your chest and fits comfortably, and the lap belt goes across your lap. If your belt is too close to your neck or not fitting your properly, look into getting a seat belt adjuster or extender. It is important that you have a seat belt that fits your properly, otherwise, it will prevent it from keeping you as safe as it possibly can.

Even though it might not feel comfortable, the seat belt is not doing any good if it is behind you or not buckled in at all. The lap belt helps keep you planted in your seat during a sudden stop or a crash, and the shoulder belt prevents you from flying through your windshield or slamming your head on the dash.

2. Buckle up

There are no ifs, ands, or buts. Just do it.

The seat belt was not added in a car for it to look pretty, it has a purpose. And its purpose is to keep you safe in an accident. Don’t let your mind fool you or convince you that it is not necessary to put your belt on simply because you are just going down the road or you will not be going that fast. Most of the accidents that occur happen close to your home and at lower speeds.

So, buckle up and be a good role model to your kids and other passengers.

3. Don’t sit too close.

In order for a seat belt to work properly, it is important that you sit as far away from the steering wheel or dash as possible. Keeping this in mind, don’t back up too much that you no longer can reach the pedals or operate the vehicle safely. Now that is another hazard in and of itself.

At the same time, sitting too close doesn’t give your seat belt much room to work with, and is more dangerous if the airbag were to be deployed. You are increasing your chances of coming into contact with the airbag before it has fully inflated, and that is dangerous.

Final Thoughts:

Law or no law, wearing a seat belt is crucial. It is there for your protection during a crash, and it is so simple to do. You get in your car, buckle up, and drive off. It doesn’t take that long at all.