How should you properly wear a seatbelt?

Wearing a seatbelt tightly over your waist and shoulder is essential for safety while driving or riding in a vehicle. This method ensures that the seatbelt functions effectively in the event of a crash, distributing the force of impact across the stronger parts of your body.

The shoulder belt helps to keep the upper body secure and prevents the occupant from being thrown forward during a collision, while the lap belt secures the lower body to minimize movement and potential injuries. When properly worn, a seatbelt greatly increases the chances of survival in an accident and reduces the likelihood of severe injuries.

Other methods of wearing a seatbelt, such as loosely over the waist or only across the lap, do not provide the same level of protection and could allow the occupant to move in ways that increase the risk of injury during an accident.