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Statement by Chuck Hurley, Acting Director, Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign November 1, 2000

1 November 2000

Statement by Chuck Hurley, Acting Director, Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign November 1, 2000

                 Seat Belts Best Defense in Vehicle Rollovers
             Most Crashes Are Survivable if Passengers Are Belted

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 The following is a statement by Chuck
Hurley, Acting Director, Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign:

    As President Clinton today signed a major auto safety bill that addresses
vehicle rollovers, the Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety campaign reminds the public
that seat belt use plays an essential role in preventing fatalities in these
kind of crashes.
    Most fatalities in a rollover occur because unbelted drivers and
passengers are thrown through the window or windshield. Seat belt use could
prevent approximately 90 percent of the critical and fatal injuries received
by unbelted drivers in rollover crashes.
    The force of ejection from a vehicle is almost always deadly and gruesome.
Police officers who arrive at the scene say these crashes are among the most
horrifying to witness, especially when children are involved.  It's often
difficult to locate the victims' bodies because they have been thrown so far
from the vehicle.  These deaths are preventable by wearing seat belts.
    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10,133
people died in rollover crashes in 1999, and 73 percent of these people were
not wearing seat belts.

    The Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign is a partnership with automotive
manufacturers, insurance companies, child safety seat manufacturers,
government agencies, health professionals and child health and safety
organizations.  The goal of the Campaign is to increase the proper use of
safety belts and child safety seats and to inform the public about how to
maximize the lifesaving capabilities of air bags while minimizing the risks.