Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Massachusetts Teens Not Wearing Seatbelts
No matter your age, following seat belt safety can mean the difference of life or death if you are involved in a car accident.
How Many Massachusetts Motorists Are Not Wearing Seat Belts?
Even with the public awareness of the importance of using seatbelts, more than 30% of Massachusetts motorists still do not use these crucial safety devices. There also seems to be an alarming trend among teen motorists. According to recent research, teens' compliance with seatbelts has fallen below the state average, as seatbelt usage among young people declined by 10% this year.
Too often, there are stories in the news of teen drivers who have been severely injured in car accidents. Many of these stories go on to report that the teens were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
Consequences of Not Wearing a Seatbelt in a Car Accident
Jennifer Martelli joined Massachusetts State Police officers and members of the B.M.C. Durfee and New Bedford high school football teams recently to remind people to wear their seatbelts. Martelli was injured in a car accident in 1995 and now has permanent side effects. At the time of the car crash, Martelli and a friend were on their way to get lemonade. Their vehicle was broadsided.
Martelli had not been wearing her seatbelt during the car accident and suffered severe injuries that caused her to end up in a coma. Eventually she recovered, but has to deal with the permanent consequences.
Teen motorists often fail to make the simple decision to put on their seatbelts. Seatbelts are designed to prevent ejection, slow down the body's movements and help protect the head, neck and spinal cord. During a car crash, anyone inside the vehicle who is not properly restrained, can be thrown into the windshield or ejected from the vehicle. The risk of serious injuries and even death increases dramatically when seatbelts are not used.
Massachusetts seatbelt laws make it mandatory for anyone driving or riding in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt. Police officers are given the authority to issue a $25 citation to anyone in the vehicle who is over the age of 16 found not wearing a seatbelt. If the passengers in the vehicle are under the age of 16, the driver will be fined for each individual.
Teens should be encouraged to wear their seatbelts at all times. Just by putting on their seatbelts, they can save their own lives and decrease the chance of sustaining permanent injuries from a car accident.
If you have been injured in a vehicle accident in Massachusetts, contact a renowned Boston car accident lawyer at Kiley Law Group.
Call 617-248-8690 or the toll free number 1-888-208-1695. Free Consultations.
