The Age-Old Debate: Are Seat Belts Worth It?

I'm sure you have met many people in Texas, and perhaps you are of the same mind, who believe that seat belts should be optional. "Who are you to tell me how I should or shouldn't drive my own vehicle?"

While it is true that, yes, it is your own vehicle, it's also true that seat belts do indeed save more lives during car accidents than those who aren't buckled up.

Common Arguments Against Seat Belts

I know someone who refuses to ever use a seat belt because they heard horrible stories about people getting in nasty wrecks and being pinned into their car by a jammed seat belt.

Read More: Surprising Distractions That Qualify as Distracted Driving in TX

That is absolutely horrible, I completely agree, but it doesn't mean you should never wear them. Just one small adjustment of putting on your seat belt before you drive can reduce your risk of dying during a collision by 45%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Here's another wild fact: 2023 data showed that 92% of all drivers wore seat belts, but 49% of traffic-related deaths occurred to those who weren't wearing one. This means that just 8% of all drivers who happened to forego the seat belt accounted for half of all car crash fatalities that year.

Another argument I hear is "Seat belt laws weren't a thing when I grew up, so I never saw the need." A very fair point, but see how fatal crashes have decreased since Texas required them to be worn when driving in 1985.

Why Seat Belts Should Actually Be Worn

Let's look at the numbers to back this up. In 2024, 19% of all car accidents in Texas involved teenagers. Among the fatal crashes, 132 drivers were not wearing seat belts.

Let's not forget that it's also against the law in Texas to drive without a seat belt, no matter what your opinion is.

So, the bottom line is this: You may not have grown up with seat belts and you may find them annoying to have to worry about, but the fact that they're proven to lower the rate of fatal car accidents (and that it's punishable by a fine of up to $200) speaks for itself.