I don’t like to lecture my customers on why they should wear a seatbelt. But, remember, I’m a father, and sometimes everyone needs a friendly reminder about why we should wear seatbelts. 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States for people aged one to 54, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that three out of four vehicle crashes happen within 25 miles of home.
Did you know that a seatbelt can reduce those serious crash-related injuries and deaths by half? Half.
That’s proof. Accidents happen, but your seatbelt can help. Vehicles today are built to crash; a vehicle’s frame will absorb the impact of the crash, rather than the driver or passengers. However, crash absorption will not benefit you if you are not wearing a seatbelt.
The takeaway is simple: use a seatbelt on every trip, regardless of its duration. More importantly, require everyone in your car, children and adults, front and backseat passengers, to buckle up.
-CJ Paterniti
“From The Desk of CJ” is a monthly feature that will appear in the D&S Automotive Newsletter. Follow along as CJ Paterniti, D&S Vice President, shares his thoughts and expertise on the collision repair and automotive industries.