NHTSA Study Shows Value of Seat Belts

02/27/96

Reuters reported that a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report concludes that three out of every five people killed in motor vehicle accidents would have survived the crashes that killed them, had they been wearing their seat belts. The study also shows that one third of all American motorists still do not wear seat belts.

Hospital costs for crash survivors who wear seat belts are almost 50% cheaper than costs for those who don't wear belts. The average hospital costs associated with unbelted crash victims rings in at $5,000. NHTSA estimates the annual national hospitalization costs for those not wearing seat belts when they crash in the US at $137 billion.

Currently motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 5 and 27.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel