Poster: Seatbelts
Poster: Seatbelts (Spanish)
Poster: Importance of Seatbelt Safety
Poster: Importance of Seatbelt Safety (Spanish)
Poster: Buckle Up
Poster: Buckle Up (Spanish)
A majority of WCF Insurance fatality claims are a result of motor vehicle operations. Over half of these fatality claims, during 2003 and 2004, involved motor vehicle crashes. Many of these fatalities could have been prevented with the use of a seatbelt. Automobile seatbelt use is typically about 80%, but pickup truck driver seat belt use is statistically much lower.
Recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research has shown that men who drive pickups, ages 18-39, are less likely to buckle-up compared to drivers and passengers in other passenger-type vehicles. The research found that many pickup drivers believe they are protected from harm because the trucks they drive are larger and sturdier compared to cars. However, the pickup truck rollover probability in a crash is twice that of passenger cars. Seatbelts reduce the risk of dying in a pickup truck rollover crash by as much as 70% to 80%.
For example, in Utah, during 2002, single vehicle rollover crashes accounted for 44.6% of all fatal crashes. Many of these vehicles were pickups and SUVs. Seatbelted occupants' survival chances increased dramatically versus unrestrained occupants. Unbelted occupants were 14 times more likely to die than belted occupants. In addition, if a driver is un-belted, the odds of children passengers being restrained drops from 96% to 50%.
Any occupant of a pickup or other motor vehicle should fasten their seatbelt. If an individual does not, he or she is not only breaking the law, but putting themselves, their passengers, and other motorists in danger. An individual not wearing a seatbelt can also be ticketed, though the probability of receiving a ticket depends on a variety of factors including state law. As a habit, fasten your seatbelt and insist that your passengers fasten theirs before you start your engine.
If you are on the job while driving and are caught not wearing your seatbelt, you could be violating your employer’s seatbelt policy. WCF Insurance strongly recommends that companies implement a seatbelt policy.
Driving unbuckled, on or off the job, is a poor choice that could have severe, possibly fatal, consequences to you, your passengers, other motorists and those who love and depend on you. So take the few seconds it takes to, “Buckle Up in Your Truck."
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa.dot.gov
Additional Resources
WCF Insurance Safety Department
(385) 351-8103
NOTICE: This guide may make reference to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations; however the guide is not legal advice as to compliance with OSHA or other safety laws, codes, or regulations. Compliance with OSHA and other safety laws codes or regulations, and maintaining a safe work environment for your employees remains your responsibility. WCF Insurance does not undertake to perform the duty of any person to provide for the health or safety of your employees. WCF Insurance does not warrant that your workplace is safe or healthful, or that it complies with any laws, regulations, codes, or standards.