Using a seat belt reduces the risk of death by 65%, according to a study of over 50,000 driver-passenger car crashes. Driver air bags offer relatively little benefit in road vehicle crashes. Researchers only found an 8% reduction in the risk of death, whether the driver was belted or not.
Seat belts in combination with an air bag give a 68% reduction in the risk of death.
British Medical Journal May 11, 2002;324:1119-1122
Well, folks, it doesn't make any sense to not buckle up. Please don't get a false sense of security with your air bags. They are absolutely no replacement for a properly buckled seat belt. If you are going more than a few feet in your car, you should have that belt buckled.
It just doesn't make any sense not to.
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