September 9, 1994

Background

Sheriff Hathaway says, "Buckle Up For Safety"

"It's back to school time," says Caddo Parish Sheriff Don Hathaway "and let's get our children back safely."

When driving to school, responsible drivers and wise passengers know to buckle their seat belts and use child restraint devices.

There are many excuses that people use for not buckling their seat belts, Sheriff Hathaway says, "but seat belts and restraining devices are needed any time you and your children get in the car."

All driving can be dangerous. And it's important to wear seat belts even if you are traveling at a low speed or going only a short distance. According to studies, more than half of the accidents causing injury or death occur at speeds less than 40 mph. Fatalities involving non-belted occupants have been recorded as low as 12 mpg -- the speed at which you'd be driving in a school parking lot. Since three out of four fatal accidents occur within 25 miles of home, seat belts are needed for both short and long trips.

It is false to think that by not wearing belts you can be saved if you are thrown from the car. In this scenario the probability of death is almost five times as great. "All adults must be buckled and all children secured as reports of beltless safety are untrue. Under almost any set of collision circumstances, people are much better off belted up inside the car," the sheriff added.

Motor vehicle collisions are the number-one killer of young children. Whenever you, your children, or others get in your car, make sure everyone has buckled their seat belts and all small children are secured before you take off. "Seat belt laws are made to protect you, so let's all stay safe this back to school season and every season," says Sheriff Hathaway.