Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Wearing Seat Belt Only Takes 2 Seconds: Buckle up for Your Safety

Buckle Up for safety | vehicle accident

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According to an article by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), wearing seat belt only takes roughly two seconds to do; hence, drivers and passengers have no excuse not to buckle up. In the State of California, adult vehicle occupants who fail to restrain themselves using seat belt and/or shoulder harness may be fined with no less than $142.00.

Since 2005, the California government has implemented “Click It or Ticket,” a program that aims to require all drivers to wear seat belt for their safety. Since it was implemented, seat belt use rate has increased significantly – from 92.5 percent in 2005 to 96.2 percent in 2010, which was in fact a record high.

Additionally, the said traffic safety program involves disciplining California drivers who do not wear seat belt or properly restrain children inside their vehicle. The minimum fine for adults who do not use seat belt is $142.00 and up. Meanwhile, the minimum fine for parents or adults who do not restrain passengers under the age of 16 is $445.00.

“Click It or Ticket” is a program well-supported by various government agencies including Business Transportation and Housing Agency (BTH), California Highway Patrol (CHP), OTS, Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Despite the benefits of using seat belt, Los Angeles drivers must still recognize the certain dangers of the road. Drivers must remember that wearing seat belt does not exempt them from accidents. The following are the common causes of major and fatal car accidents in California:

•    Intoxicated drivers
•    Distracted drivers (drivers who eat, talk on the phone, or text while driving)
•    Speeding drivers
•    Wrong-way drivers
•    Swerving drivers
•    Poor weather condition
•    Road hazards and debris

Meanwhile, Los Angeles drivers who got injured in an accident caused by a negligent motorist should promptly contact a Los Angeles vehicle accident attorney for them to recover personal injury damages.

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