Everybody knows – seatbelts save lives. Approximately 35,000 people die each year in car accidents and 50% of these lives could have been saved with appropriate use of seatbelts. For every percent increase in seatbelt use 172 lives and close to $100 million in direct and indirect costs could be saved annually.

This is just statistics. Statistics could be impressive, yet it does not affect us on a personal level as much as a real life stories.

It’s a Sunday afternoon and a gorgeous day outside. A car full of teenage kids gets into an accident. Everybody but one kid is wearing a seatbelt. Everybody is Ok except for this kid who is thrown out of the vehicle and was taken to the hospital.

The kid sustained a C6 – T1 spine injury with cord compromise (see the image above). Now the kid is basically tetraplegic just for not using his seatbelt. This will make you think twice before deciding not to use your car safety restraints. Unfortunately, it’s too late for the patient – this young life is ruined.

I hate to sound like a safety billboard, but please wear your seatbelt.