Compelling reasons to wear your seatbelt

In response to Darron Justice’s July 25 lament regarding our state’s law enforcement community cracking down on drivers who do not wear seatbelts (“Seatbelt use: Let’s crack down on bad drivers instead”), I would like to offer this. Darron suggests that it costs too much to have officers stop and ticket drivers who are not belted. Nothing could be further from the truth. The inpatient hospital cost to treat an unbelted crash victim is at least 50 percent higher than those for belted victims. And society pays 85 percent of the costs, not the drivers involved. Americans pay $14.3 billion per year in injury related costs for people who do not wear seatbelts. The injured driver pays less than 30 percent of the total cost. The remainder is paid by the rest of us through higher automobile and health insurance taxes and through public assistance programs funded with federal and state taxes. These statistics were gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The most compelling reason to enforce the use of seatbelts has to be the number of deaths to children who are not buckled. Adults who do not wear seat belts do not ensure that their passengers, especially children, are buckled. In 2000, 56 percent of kids rode unrestrained. Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of children ages 0 to 14 in the United States. In 1999, 1,684 children died as a result of motor vehicle crashes nation wide and 248,000 were injured. This number could be dramatically reduced with increased seat belt use.

I applaud our lawmakers for making seatbelt use a priority and our law enforcement officers who stop you to save the lives of you and your children.

While Darron may have been a victim of an “injustice” by being ticketed for not wearing his seatbelt, at least he arrived home safely buckled and was able to write his coherent letter to the editor. Please buckle up.

Community Education Director

Snohomish Fire &Rescue

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, Feb. 15

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Rivian, based in Irvine, Calif., has introduced its new R2 models, smaller and more affordable SUVs. (Rivian)
Editorial: Open electric vehicle market to direct sales

Legislation would allow EV makers to sell directly to customers, making lease or purchase easier.

Eco-nomics: Climate change is making insurance a risky bet

Keeping home insurance affordable amid climate change will take adaptation to threats and broader efforts.

Comment: Keeping health care fair, affordable as costs rise

Bills in the state Senate would look to control costs and keep decisions in the hands of providers.

Comment: Proposal takes a swipe at credit card swipe fees

State legislation would exempt taxes and gratuities from the fees that credit card firms charge businesses.

Forum: State church leaders call for compasion for immigrants

Scripture repeatedly instructs us to love our neighbor and show the stranger hospitality.

Forum: Support state legislation to reform policing, corrections

One bill would harmonize standards for agency leadership; another would clarify review of corrections facilities.

The Buzz: When you gotta boogie, best to shake it off, kid

A pasquidadian review of the week’s news.

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

Schwab: If you’re OK with foreign aid cuts, guess who’s next

At some point, if they haven’t already, Trump’s and Musk’s cuts will hit all but a very elite few.

Poor planning behind Snohomish PUD rate increase

It did not take long in 2025 for the Snohomish Public Utility… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.