Wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to prevent death and serious injury in a crash. Seat belt use is on the rise. Laws, education, and technology have increased seat belt use from 11% in 19812 to nearly 85% in 20103, saving hundreds of thousands of lives.

Since 1975, seat belts are estimated to have saved 374,276 lives, with 14,955 saved in 2017 alone. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that using lap and shoulder seat belts reduces the risk of: Front seat passenger car occupant deaths by 45%

Overall, we find that seat belt legislation unambiguously reduces traffic fatalities. Specifically, we estimate that a 10 percent increase in usage rate reduces occupant fatalities by about 1.35 percent and has no significant effect on fatalities among non-occupants.

Empirical estimates from first stage instrumental-variables regressions suggest that the enactment of mandatory seat belt laws is significantly associated with an increase in average seat belt use, while corresponding estimates from second stage regressions imply that a 1 percent increase in average seat belt use is …

Although it has been compulsory to wear seatbelts in New South Wales since 1971, each year on average there are about 30 drivers and passengers killed and 220 injured who were not wearing available seatbelts. Many of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if seatbelts had been used.

Consequences. Of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2019, 47% were not wearing seat belts. Seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives and could have saved an additional 2,549 people if they had been wearing seat belts, in 2017 alone.

Of those thrown completely out of a vehicle in a car crash, 75% died. Only one percent of people totally ejected from their cars had on a seat belt during the crash. Over 30% were not wearing seat belts. In 2006, 42,642 people were killed in car accidents.

A seat belt could cause whiplash by holding the body in place but not the head and neck. In a collision, the forces of the accident could push the head rapidly back and forth. This could strain the tendons in the neck and cause whiplash.

The restraining force of your seat belt may have enough power to fracture your ribs, and may cause you a significant amount of pain for months. Treat fractured ribs as soon as possible because the dislocated bone could puncture or interfere with your lungs or heart.

When functioning properly, and worn properly, seat belts can save lives. When seat belts malfunction they can kill you, even in an accident that would have otherwise caused minor injuries or no injuries at all.

Seat belt syndrome is a collective term that includes all injury profiles associated with the use of seat belts. It is defined classically as a seat belt sign (seat belt marks on the body) plus an intra-abdominal organ injury (e.g. bowel perforations) and/or thoraco-lumbar vertebral fractures.

A positive abdominal seatbelt sign, in combination with abdominal pain or tenderness, results in a higher likelihood of intra-abdominal injuries; some cohorts demonstrate a higher incidence of solid organ injuries 6 and others bowel/mesenteric injury 1,3.

In conclusion, intra-abdominal injuries after a MVC are well reported and people with a seatbelt sign have a higher likelihood of having intra-abdominal injuries when presented. Abdominal wall disruption however, is a rare injury and in case of non-operative management may lead to traumatic abdominal wall hernia.

– hollow viscus injury refers to blunt force injury specific to the gastrointestinal system extending from the gastroesophageal junction, stomach, small and large intestine including the rectum.

A Chance fracture is an unstable spine fracture that typically occurs at the thoracolumbar junction. It is a horizontal fracture extending from posterior to anterior through the spinous process, pedicles, and vertebral body.

A hangman’s fracture is a bilateral fracture traversing the pars interarticularis of cervical vertebrae 2 (C2) with an associated traumatic subluxation of C2 on cervical vertebrae 3 (C3). It is the second most common fracture of the C2 vertebrae following a fracture of the odontoid process.

Chance fractures are also known as seat belt fractures. This is because they’re commonly caused by lap belt-style seat belts during car accidents.

Distraction and impaction A fracture resulting in increased overall bone length, is due to distraction (widening) of the bone components. If there is shortening of bone without loss of alignment, the fracture is impacted. The bone substance of each component is driven into the other.

Closed fracture – The skin remains unbroken. Displaced fracture – The bone fragments on each side of the break aren’t aligned, which may require surgery for complete healing. Comminuted fracture – The bone is broken into pieces, which may require surgery for complete healing.

Types of Fractures

1. Greenstick – Incomplete fracture.
2. Transverse – The break is in a straight line across the bone.
3. Spiral – The break spirals around the bone; common in a twisting injury.
4. Oblique – Diagonal break across the bone.
5. Compression – The bone is crushed, causing the broken bone to be wider or flatter in appearance.

How can I prevent broken bones?

1. Balance: Consider balance training and physical therapy if your body feels off.
2. Clutter removal: Keep your rooms picked up.
3. Lights: Make sure your rooms all have good lighting.
4. Rugs: Use skid-free mats under any rugs you need.
5. Shoes: Wear shoes – not just socks – when you’re home.

Good-for-Your-Bones Foods

Key points about fractures Bone fractures are often caused by falls, injury, or because of a direct hit or kick to the body. Overuse or repetitive motions can cause stress fractures. So can diseases that weaken the bone. Symptoms include sudden pain, swelling, and trouble using or moving the injured area.

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1. Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
2. Immobilize the injured area. Don’t try to realign the bone or push a bone that’s sticking out back in.
3. Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain.
4. Treat for shock.

One common term for operative fracture stabilization is called “open reduction internal fixation (ORIF)”. This means that a formal incision is used (Open), the bones are re-aligned (Reduction), and an implant is used (Internal Fixation) to maintain that alignment so the body can naturally heal the fracture.

Try these steps to help ease discomfort and encourage healing after being treated for a dislocation injury:

1. Rest your dislocated joint. Don’t repeat the action that caused your injury, and try to avoid painful movements.
2. Apply ice and heat.
3. Take a pain reliever.
4. Maintain the range of motion in your joint.

Every dislocation has its own unique healing time. Most people experience a full recovery in several weeks. For some joints, such as hips, full recovery may take several months or years and may require additional surgeries.

Dislocated joints, unless they are realigned quickly, are more likely to damage blood vessels and nerves than are fractures. Some complications (such as blood vessel and nerve damage and infections) occur during the first hours or days after the injury.

Don’t try to move a dislocated joint or force it back into place. This can damage the joint and its surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves or blood vessels. Put ice on the injured joint. This can help reduce swelling by controlling internal bleeding and the buildup of fluids in and around the injured joint.