Statistics show that most people are aware of the dangers posed by going without a seat belt and therefore choose to buckle up. To illustrate, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently indicated that the overall rate of seat belt use in the United States was 84 percent in 2009. Furthermore, the federal agency indicated that seat belts saved the lives of more than 13,000 people involved in car accidents in 2008.

While these numbers are certainly encouraging, they also reveal a very interesting trend. In 2008, 83 percent of passengers riding in front seats wore their seat belts while only 74 percent of passengers riding in rear seats wore their seat belts.

Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe that riding in the back seat somehow makes them immune to the potential dangers of a car accident. However, this is simply not true.

Unbelted back seat passengers move at roughly the same rate of speed as the vehicle in which they are traveling. This can translate into high-speed (and potentially fatal) impacts with a variety of obstacles, including dashboards, windshields, seat backs and even other passengers, during an accident.

According to Pam Fischer, a state highway traffic safety director, unbelted back seat passengers "become a back seat bullet."

Past studies have indicated that primary seat belt laws - laws that enable law enforcement officials to pull a person over for the sole offense of not wearing a seat belt - have contributed to a higher rate of seat belt use.

Recognizing this trend, several states (including Texas) have expanded the scope of their seat belt laws to include rear passengers over the past three years. In fact, the District of Columbia and 25 states now require every passenger in a motor vehicle to wear a seat belt.

While the true impact of these newer laws remains to be seen in terms of numbers, the need to wear a seat belt cannot be overstated.

"The most important thing you can do in any vehicle at any time is wear your seat belt in all seating positions," said Michele Fields, general counsel at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Related Resources:
  
• States Expand Seat Belt Laws to Cover Rear Seat Riders (USA Today)