The use of seat belts in motor vehicles saved an estimated 15,383 lives in 2006. Seat belts have saved over 75,000 lives during the five-year period from 2002 through 2006. These annual lives saved counts, shown in Table 1, have been produced by NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis since 1975. The counts are estimates which are calculated using the effectiveness of each device or law that is mentioned. In addition to the 15,383 lives saved in 2006 by seat belts, 2,796 lives were saved by frontal air bags, motorcycle helmets saved 1,658 lives, 21-year-old minimum drinking age laws saved 890 lives, and child restraints (child safety seats and lap/shoulder belts) saved 425 lives. An additional 5,441 lives would have been saved in 2006 if all unrestrained motor vehicle occupants involved in fatal crashes had worn their seat belts; and if all motorcycle riders had been helmeted, then an additional 752 lives would have been saved. The number of lives saved by frontal air bags has climbed each year during this five-year period from 2002 through 2006, as a larger percentage of the vehicle fleet has become equipped with frontal air bags. As the number of motorcycle riders has greatly increased in recent years, the number of lives saved by motorcycle helmets has also gone up sharply. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting