Seat belts save lives, use them

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kylsee Wisseman
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Wearing your seat belt is a no brainer. Not only is it mandatory on a military installation, but it's also a state law.

Some Airmen may think being on base creates a safety net, however in reality traffic incidents can happen on or off base.

"Accidents might not seem so serious on base, although they do happen," said Staff Sgt. Shakeyawan Byrd, 7th Security Forces Squadron. "Last year we had an accident where an Airman fell asleep at the wheel, went into a ditch and rolled three times, but because he was wearing his seat belt it may have saved his life.

"There was another incident where several Airmen were involved in a six-car pileup due to an armadillo on the road," Byrd added. "One truck stopped for the animal and five others plowed into the back of him. Because they were all wearing seat belts, it played a role in leaving them with minimal injuries."

Because seat belts are a proven safety feature, the commander has mandated everyone wears one.

"As part of our job, security forces Airmen are required to check to ensure all of our passengers coming through the gate are wearing seat belts," Byrd said.

If an Airman is driving on base without a seat belt on and is pulled over they will be written a citation for failure to wear a restraint and may have their driver's license suspended for up to a year. Any passengers in the vehicle not wearing a seat belt can also result in the driver receiving a citation for failure to ensure all occupants are buckled in.

"It's every Airman's responsibility to ensure their passengers including themselves are wearing a seat belt when riding in their vehicle," Byrd said.

Another good reason to wear a seat belt is that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration more than 3,330 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver during 2011. The agency also noted that 387,000 people were injured in a motor vehicle crash that involved a distracted driver.

"The most common thing we see from car accidents in Abilene that involve our Airmen at Dyess are caused by distracted driving," said Lt. Col. Ed Brennan, 7th Bomb Wing chief of safety. "Distracted driving can be anything from texting, talking on the phone, eating or adjusting the radio."

Brennan says a person will never know when or where a seatbelt will save a life until it happens.

"Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere, whether you think it can happen to you or not," he said. "Bottom line, seat belts can save your life."