Buckle Up - Every Seat Every Time

Seat belt use. It affects us all

Woman reaching for seat belt If you are improperly buckled during a crash, you risk becoming a projectile and injuring or killing others in the vehicle. Even when you’re alone in the vehicle, if you aren’t properly buckled, an unpredictable situation can cause you to swerve or brake suddenly, forcing you from the driver’s seat which is likely to cause a crash. You might argue that seat belt use is a personal decision, but that argument just doesn’t hold up; it affects us all.

#1 most effective

Seat belts are the single most effective traffic safety device for preventing death and injury in a crash. On top of that, you’re probably breaking the law by not wearing one.

KNOW THE LAW

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Unbuckled passengers can become a projectile infographic

In a crash, unbuckled passengers can become a projectile and increase the risk of hurting or killing others in the car by 40 percent.

30 times more likely to be ejected infographic

People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash.

Seat belts saved 20 Iowan lives infographic

In 2018, it’s likely 208 of the 319 people who were killed in crashes might have survived if they had been wearing seat belts.

Three out of four people who are ejected during a crash die infographic

Three out of four people who are ejected during a crash die from their injuries.

IF YOU'RE PREGNANT

SEAT BELTS – SAFE FOR MOM, SAFE FOR BABY

I’M PREGNANT. SHOULD I WEAR A SEAT BELT?

YES! Doctors recommend it. Buckling up through all stages of your pregnancy is the single most effective action you can take to protect yourself and your unborn child in a crash. Never drive or ride in a car without buckling up first!

WHAT’S THE RIGHT WAY TO WEAR MY SEAT BELT?

SHOULDER BELT

The shoulder belt should be away from your neck (but not off your shoulder) and across your chest (between your breasts). Be sure to remove any slack from your seat belt. Never place the belt under your arm or behind your back.

LAP BELT

The lap belt should be secured below your belly so that it fits snugly across your hips and pelvic bone. Never place it over or on top of your belly.

SHOULD I ADJUST MY SEAT?

YES. Choose a comfortable, upright position, and keep as much distance as possible between your belly and the steering wheel. You should be able to comfortably reach the steering wheel and pedals.

To minimize the gap between your shoulder and the seat belt, avoid reclining your seat more than necessary. If you need additional room, consider adjusting the steering wheel or having someone else drive, if possible.
Avoid letting your belly touch the steering wheel. If you’re a passenger, move your seat back as far as possible.

WHAT IF MY CAR OR TRUCK HAS AIR BAGS?

You still need to wear your seat belt properly. Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them. Without a seat belt, you could crash into the vehicle interior, other passengers, or be ejected from the vehicle.

MY CAR HAS AN ON-OFF AIR BAG DISABLING SWITCH. SHOULD I TURN IT OFF?

NO. Doctors recommend pregnant women wear seat belts and leave the air bags turned on. Seat belts and air bags work together to provide the best protection for you and your unborn child.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM INVOLVED IN A CRASH?

Seek immediate medical attention, even if you think you are not injured, regardless of whether you were the driver or a passenger.

* This campaign is supported by HRSA as part of an award totalling $2,134,389. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by HRSA.

Improper seat belt use can be life altering

Believe it or not, there are right and wrong ways to wear a seat belt. By wearing a seat belt properly, it will better absorb fatal forces of a crash and be less likely to cause harm to vital internal organs. Be aware of the proper way to wear a seat belt.

Never do these things with a seatbelt infographic

Child Safety seats

A recent National Highway Transportation Safety Administration survey revealed that 20 percent of all drivers of child passengers did not read any instructions on how to properly install their child restraints, yet 90 percent felt “confident” or “very confident” that their car seats and booster seats were installed correctly.

NHTSA carseat graphic depicting four belt types

Common errors include:

Loose car seat installation. The restraint system moved more than two inches side-to-side or front to back; anything more than one inch is too much.
Wrong harness slot used. The harness straps used to hold the child in the car seat were positioned either too low or too high.
Loose harness. More than two inches of total slack between the child and the harness strap; there should be no slack.
Wrong chest clip position. Harness chest clip positioned over the abdomen rather than the chest or not used at all.
Wrong seat belt placement. Lap belt resting over the stomach and/or shoulder belt on the child’s neck or face.

In addition, be sure to:

Use the proper size safety seat for the child’s weight and height.
Never place a safety seat in the front seat of a car regardless of the type of safety seat used.
Never use a safety seat that has been involved in a crash or has an expired manufactures date regardless of its condition. The life of a safety seat is about six years.
Avoid secondhand safety seats, especially if they do not include the instructions manual, the manufacturer’s date or model number.
Send in the safety seat registration card to stay informed about product recalls.

Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to learn more.

It's the law, not a suggestion

The driver and front-seat occupants must be properly restrained any time the vehicle is in motion.
A child under 18 years old must to be secured in a seat belt regardless of their placement in the vehicle.
A child less than six years old must be secured in a safety seat or booster seat — adhering to manufacturer’s instructions.
A child under one year old who weighs less than 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system — adhering to manufacturer’s instructions.

Citations will be given if drivers or passengers fail to meet any of the requirements listed above. Each passenger 14 years or older, unless unable to properly fasten the seat belt due to a disability, will be individually cited for a seat belt violation.
In Iowa, seat belt laws are a primary offense, meaning a law enforcement officer may stop a vehicle solely on the violation of failure to wear a safety belt or be in a safety restraint system.
Safety belt and safety restraint violations carry a minimum fine of $127.50. While a child restraint device violations carry a minimum fine of $195.

BUCKLE UP