Think you know the facts about seat belts? Check your knowledge against these common myths, from the Minnesota Safety Council.
Myth: I’m not going far or driving fast, so I don’t need a seat belt.
Fact: Most crash-related deaths happen within 25 miles of home and at speeds under 40 mph.
Myth: There aren’t many vehicles on rural roads, so I don’t need a seat belt.
Fact: Minnesota’s rural counties make up just half of the population, but accounted for 56% of traffic fatalities in 2022.
Myth: My vehicle has airbags, so I don’t need a seat belt.
Fact: Airbags are designed to work with seat belts. A seat belt alone provides better protection than just an airbag. If you’re unbuckled, the force of the airbag can cause serious injury or death.
Myth: I don’t want to be trapped in a fire or underwater.
Fact: Crashes involving fire or water make up only 0.5% of all crashes. Wearing a seat belt increases your chances of remaining conscious, which is crucial if you need to escape from such a situation.
Myth: I only buckle up on highways. City streets are safer.
Fact: Most fatal crashes occur on everyday trips, within 25 miles of home, and at low speeds.
Myth: I don’t want to wear a seat belt, but I’ll make sure my kids do.
Fact: Adults set the example. When parents don’t buckle up, child restraint use drops by 40%.
Myth: I’d rather be thrown clear in a crash.
Fact: Being safely “thrown clear” is almost impossible. You’re more likely to be ejected through the
windshield, dragged along the pavement, or crushed. Staying inside the vehicle, secured by a seat belt,
is far safer.
Myth: I’m a good driver—crashes won’t happen to me.
Fact: No matter how skilled you are, you can’t control other drivers. Defensive driving can’t always
protect you from impaired or reckless drivers.
Myth: I drive a pickup truck, so I don’t need a seat belt.
Fact: Trucks and SUVs are more likely to roll over in a crash. Seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60% in pickups and SUVs.
Myth: A seat belt can hurt you in a crash.
Fact: Everything in your car can cause injury in a crash, but a seat belt keeps you from being ejected.
While minor bruising can occur, a seat belt drastically reduces the risk of severe injury.
Myth: I don’t need a seat belt in the back seat.
Fact: Back seat passengers are just as vulnerable. Nationally, 59% of back-seat passengers killed in crashes in 2022 weren’t wearing seat belts.
Remember: Minnesota law requires every passenger in every vehicle to be properly restrained.
Sources: Minnesota Safety Council, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety