OUR VIEW: Stay safe, buckle up

When a car turning left on to 900 North Friday was struck by an automobile heading southbound on 800 East, the damage was substantial.

Both cars collided with a third vehicle that was stationary at a stop sign. The third car rolled and all three vehicles were likely totaled.

Broken glass sparkled on the road, but no one was hurt.

All involved were wearing their seat belts and when the crash occurred, the safety devices went to work.

When the cars collided and rolled, the occupants were fastened in and secure. They’ll be sore, but responding officers said they’ve seen people get more hurt in slow-moving fender benders because occupants weren’t wearing seat belts.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every 13 minutes, someone is killed in an automobile accident.

In 2002, 39 percent of passenger car occupants involved in fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts, according to the administration.

The administration also estimates that 11,000 lives are saved each year by seat belts.

Friday’s accident serves as a reminder of the importance of seat belt safety. Injury was averted because the occupants decided to take one second out of their lives to buckle up.

We would encourage everyone to make a conscious effort to always wear a seat belt while driving. While wearing a seat belt is not 100 percent guaranteed to prevent injury, it is still potential life saving.

Take the time to buckle up and you could be one of the 11,000 lives saved each year.

Hold on to dear life. Now you know and knowing is half the battle.