Lack of Seat Belts Is Killing Tennessee Drivers and Passengers

Some data out of the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (DSHS) recently caught our attention. Their analysis of fatal and serious injury crashes shows some troubling information – mostly that people don’t seem to be wearing their seat belts.

The state of Tennessee saw over 6,000 fatal and serious injury crashes in 2023. Out of these crashes, unbelted occupants made up 3,520 of these accidents – over half. In Nashville proper, this number is 285 out of 554 – again, about half.

The DSHS also reports that every three hours, 10 minutes, and 13 seconds, an improperly restrained or unrestrained driver is killed or seriously injured in a car accident. They also note:

• Improperly or unrestrained drivers are 42 times more likely to die in a crash.
• Improperly or unrestrained drivers are three times more likely to be injured in a crash.
• Two times more often, the improperly or unrestrained driver is a male.

In Davidson County, an improperly/unrestrained driver is injured or killed every day, 17 hours, 30 minutes, and 59 seconds.

The National Safety Council (NSC) also reports:

The youngest and oldest victims experience the smallest percent of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant deaths; 31% of deaths among children age 0 to 4 are unrestrained, while 26% of deaths among adults 75 and older are unrestrained. This compares sharply with the 25- to 34-age group, which experiences 61% unrestrained deaths.

The bottom line is that seatbelts save lives, but many people aren’t wearing them.

Seatbelts work

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that “Seat belts are essential safety equipment. For drivers and front-seat passengers, using a lap and shoulder belt reduces the risk of fatal injury by 60% in an SUV, van or pickup and by 45% in a car.” They also note that nearly half of those who die in car accidents are unbelted, much like the data mentioned above shows.

Why do seatbelts matter?

Seatbelts are the most effective safety feature in vehicles, designed to keep occupants securely restrained during sudden stops, collisions, or accidents. By holding passengers in place, seatbelts greatly reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. The function of seatbelts cannot be overstated, as they serve as the first line of defense against the forces generated in a collision.

Seatbelts also help prevent occupants from being ejected from the vehicle, which is one of the bigger dangers in a car accident. In the event of a crash, when seatbelts are worn, the risk of ejection is substantially reduced. When the likelihood of being ejected decreases, so do the chances of severe injury or fatality for vehicle occupants.

Further, seatbelts play an important role in reducing the impact forces experienced by vehicle occupants during a collision. When a vehicle comes to a sudden stop, the body continues to move at the vehicle’s previous speed until it’s restrained. Seatbelts slow down this movement, spreading the force of the impact over a larger area of the body. This can lessen the severity of injuries sustained in the crash.

Seatbelts can also protect occupants against injuries caused by the deployment of airbags. Airbags deploy with considerable force during a crash. Without a seatbelt, occupants could be thrown into the airbag, resulting in additional injuries. Seatbelts keep vehicle occupants in the correct position to benefit properly from the protective cushioning provided by airbags.

Finally, wearing a seatbelt sets a great example for passengers, especially for children and teenagers. It reinforces the importance of safety and responsible behavior while driving or riding in a vehicle.

Why don’t people wear seatbelts?

Still, with all this information, some people still choose not to wear seatbelts or proper restraints while operating a vehicle. The IIHS reports the following reasons people don’t wear seatbelts, as compiled from a national telephone survey:

• Only driving a short distance
• Forgetfulness
• Discomfort
• The belief that they’re not necessary
• Dislike of being told what to do

They also note that the main reason adults may not buckle up in the rear of the car is because they perceive the back seat to be safer than the front. That may have been the case once, but thanks to advances in safety tech and car design, the front seat may actually be safer for some folks. The back seat has yet to catch up with emerging seatbelt technology.

Click it or Ticket – what are the seatbelt laws in Tennessee?

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-603 identifies Tennessee as a seatbelt state. This means that all front seat passengers “must have a seat belt properly fastened about their bodies at all times when the vehicle is in a forward motion.” Tennessee’s seatbelt law is a primary enforcement law, meaning law enforcement officers can stop vehicles solely for seat belt violations. Fines may be imposed on drivers or passengers found violating these laws.

A violation of this law is a Class C misdemeanor, and a first offense is $30, with subsequent offenses being $55.

You can also read about child restraint laws here. As for older children, the Tennessee DHHS notes that “Children age thirteen (13) through age fifteen (15) must be secured by using a passenger restraint system, including safety belts, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.”

What types of injuries happen to people not wearing seatbelts?

Not wearing a seatbelt during a car accident can significantly increase the risk and severity of injuries. Here are some of the most common types of injuries that can happen to people who don’t wear seatbelts:

• Head injuries:These are some of the most serious injuries that can occur in a car accident. People who are not wearing seatbelts are much more likely to be thrown from the vehicle in a crash, which can lead to a head injury. Head injuries can range from a mild concussion to a life-threatening brain hemorrhage.
• Neck and spinal cord injuries:The sudden force of a car accident can cause the neck and spine to hyperextend, which can lead to spinal cord damage or paralysis.
• Chest and abdominal injuries:The impact of a crash can cause serious injuries to the chest and abdomen, such as broken ribs, internal bleeding, and organ damage.
• Ejection from the vehicle:People who are not wearing seatbelts are much more likely to be ejected from the vehicle in a crash. This can lead to even more serious injuries or death.

Wearing a seatbelt is the single most effective way to stay safe in a car accident. So buckle up every time you get in the car, and make sure everyone else in the car is buckled up too.

No matter what, if you are injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, the team at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is here to help you achieve the best outcome possible. We fight for your rights after you’re injured by a negligent driver, whether you were wearing a seatbelt or not (but you really should be wearing a seatbelt). To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys, simply call our offices or fill out our contact form today. We have offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville and serve all of Middle Tennessee.