Bill Vasicek, Grand Forks, letter: ‘Buckling up’ cuts risk dramatically

GRAND FORKS — Traveling in a in a motor vehicle is probably the most dangerous activity a person does on a daily basis. Even those who consider themselves safe drivers still are at risk because they share the road with other drivers who may be inexperienced, distracted, impaired, speeding, aggressive or reckless.

And even though the design of today’s vehicles and roadways are the safest they ever have been, motor vehicle crashes remain the No. 1 reason people between the ages of 5 and 34 are killed in the U.S.

Then there’s this: Last year, seven out of every 10 people killed on North Dakota roadways chose not to buckle up.

The simplest and most effective way to protect yourself while traveling on the road is to wear a seat belt. Buckling up greatly increases your chance of surviving a traffic crash and reduces the risk of serious or disabling injury.

Please buckle up — every trip, every time. Seat belts do save lives and prevent serious injuries.

Bill Vasicek

Vasicek is community safety coordinator at Altru Health System.

Tags: in the mail, seat belts, traffic safety, car accidents, opinion, health, accidents, safety