Unfortunately, seat belt injuries are common, with an estimated 3 million people injured by seat belts each year. But according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), their benefits far outweigh the possible risk of injury.
In one recent year, seat belts saved over 14,000 lives.
NHTSA also estimates that wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of:
Front seat passenger car deaths by 45 percent
Front seat passenger car injuries by 50 percent
Front seat light truck occupant deaths by 60 percent
Front seat light truck injuries by 65 percent