Although the use of seatbelts is the law, why do so many people wait for a policeman to appear on the corner before buckling up? It is surprising that many Bilkenters are seen to unfasten their seatbelt as soon as they reach the campus gates, and many are still driving at a bold 50-60 km/hour.
   We don't want to bore you with statistics about how many fatalities can be avoided by wearing seatbelts. It is just a question of simple physics to realize that when your car hits something at 50 km/hour, you hit the steering wheel or the windshield at the same force as if you had fallen from the 3rd floor of your apartment. The only way to prevent this impact is to use your seatbelt, which will hold you in place at all times.
   Here are some excuses for not wearing a seat belt: (*)
   I’m going for a short drive. Did you know that 80% of traffic accidents occur within the city, where vehicles are travelling at an average speed of 40 - 50 km/hour? Fatalities have even been recorded at speeds as low as 20 km/hour, so the excuse of “I’m travelling at low speed” or “I’m not going far” does not carry when the fatal moment comes.
   I won't be involved in an accident; I drive carefully. Driving carefully will certainly help you avoid accidents, but who can say what other drivers are going to do?
   I don’t need a seatbelt; I’ve got an airbag. True, an airbag is designed to protect you from hitting the steering wheel, but it is never effective enough to protect you without your seatbelt. Airbags deploy at a speed of about 350 km/hour, counter to the direction of travel. Imagine the force with which your head is pushed into the airbag if you are not wearing your seatbelt. And don’t forget: an infant or a child can be killed by an inflating airbag! Infants and children must always travel in the back.
   I’ve heard that seatbelts can break your collar bone on impact. True. However, if the impact was strong enough for the pull on the seatbelt to break your collar bone, can you imagine what would have happened if you hadn't been wearing your seatbelt? Imagine hitting the interior of the car with the same force.
   I’m afraid of being trapped in the car if there's an accident. If you are thrown out of the car during an accident, you are 25 times more likely to die. You could be thrown through the windshield, or scraped along the ground and be crushed by your own car. The forces in a collision can be great enough to throw you as much as 50 meters. Even in event of a fire, or submersion if you fall into water, you are much safer with your seatbelt holding you in place. Without your seatbelt, you may hit your head and be stunned or knocked unconscious, whereas wearing your seatbelt you are more likely to be unhurt, alert and capable of escaping quickly.
   Stop making excuses - fastening your seatbelt is easier!
   It is not just the law - it is a lifesaver!
     Bilkent University Traffic Committee