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Buckle up!
The week of May 18 to 25 encompasses the Memorial Day weekend, traditionally one of the heaviest traffic periods of the year.
It marks, as well, All-American Buckle Up Week. Its focus will be the importance of protecting drivers and passengers through the use of seat belts.
Virginia this year became one of the leaders in the nation by passing a mandatory seat belt law for front seat passengers. Unfortunately, citations can only be issued if the vehicle is stopped for some other motor law violation.
But the use of seat belts should not have to be mandated by law. It makes sense. Despite the protestations of some who cite rare examples of people whose lives were saved by being thrown out of a vehicle during an accident, statistics show that - most of the time - being restrained by a seat belt lessens the severity of injuries received in an accident.
Significantly, only one of the eleven people killed in traffic accidents during last year’s Memorial Day weekend was known to be wearing a seat belt (VSP statistics).
Children are especially vulnerable in an accident, and should be restrained by a belt whether in the front or back seat. If they are too young for a belt, they should be strapped into a child safety seat.
Government cannot mandate common sense, nor should it try. Seat belts have been prpven to save lives, and we urge our readers to use them.
Don’t do it because it’s the law - do it because it might save your life.
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