Use of seat belts
Date
2011
Authors
Fernando, Dinesh M. G.,Kaluarachchi, C. I.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Today, seat belts are an accepted part of routine vehicle operation for millions of drivers and passengers. But the modern three-point automotive seat belt has only been around since 1959; and it saved thousands of lives since its introduction1. Fatalities and serious injuries from road traffic accidents are increasing in Sri Lanka. In 2008, 2009 & 2010 the number of fatalities was 2176, 2263 & 2579 and grievous injuries were 4941, 5379 & 6124 respectively2. One of the reasons for the rise in fatalities and serious injuries is non usage of safety measures in vehicles such as seat belts. Car seat belts did not serve the designed purpose in U.S.A. till the time most of the states made it mandatory to fasten seat belts under threat of penalties under law. Even though the usage of seat belts in Sri Lanka was made mandatory in October 2011, many Sri Lankans are unaware of the importance of the safety measures in vehicles. The usage and reasons for not wanting to use seat belts in vehicles prior to it being a legal requirement was studied
Description
Keywords
Seat belts , Legal requirements , Sri Lanka
Citation
Sri Lanka Journal of Forensic Medicine, Science and Law 2011 Vol. 2, No. 2 pp. 23-25