It seems almost daily that I open the paper or hear of another death due to an auto accident. Year 2000 statistics show that in Illinois 1,418 people died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crashes. Many times, seemingly too often, it is a young teen or young adult who is killed, often thrown from the vehicle. Of the 1,418 fatalities in 2000, 182 were 16 to 20 year-olds. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for those age 6 to 33. What really bothers me the most is that a lot of the fatalities could have been prevented if only the occupant(s) were wearing a seat belt. In fatal crashes, 72 percent of belted occupants survived, 43 percent unrestrained did not.

How many times have you seen young children unrestrained in a vehicle? They're bouncing around in the back seat or on the lap of an adult in the front seat. It would only take a quick stop to thrust them through the windshield of the vehicle and, an adult body's weight can increase the force or crush the child. Not only is it unsafe for the child, drivers are often distracted by younger children unrestrained goofing around in the car. It really upsets me that these drivers allow this to take place in their vehicle. Not only is it upsetting, but also I'm sure some are completely unaware that in Illinois this is a primary offense. This means that an officer can stop the vehicle if he observes children unrestrained. This carries a first time fine of $50 and subsequent fines of $100.

People often say children learn by example. Maybe a few of the facts below will enlighten those who lead, follow or are approaching driving age. The statistics below are from the year 2000:

• Teenagers are involved in more motor vehicle crashes than any other group.

• 65 percent of teen passenger deaths occur when another teen is driving.

• 41 percent of fatal teen crashes occur at nighttime (between 9 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.)

• Nationally, it is estimated that child restraints saved 316 lives among children under age 5.

• Nationally there were 529 fatalities among children under age 5, and 60 percent of those were totally unrestrained.

• All states and the District of Columbia have child restraint laws.

• Nationally there were 41,821 fatalities due to automobile crashes, and 60 percent were not wearing seat belts or child restraints. In Illinois it is the law that:

• All front seat passengers, regardless of age, must wear safety belts.

• Passengers ages 6 through 16, regardless of location, must wear a safety belt.

• Children ages 4 through 6 must be in a child restraint or have on a seat belt.

• Children under age 4 must be in a child restraint. This is in compliance with the Child Passenger Protection Act and the restraint must meet the standard of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. (Make sure the seat is clearly marked "Meets FMVSS 213".)

• Each driver under the age of 18 years, and each of the driver's passengers under the age of 18 years must wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt, regardless of their location in the vehicle.

For various reasons, many find excuses not to wear their seat belts, they say they're uncomfortable, they wrinkle their clothes, etc. My question is, what value do you place on life? While a seat belt may not prevent all motor vehicle fatalities, it is shown time and time again that they do save the majority of lives. BUCKLE UP FOR SAFETY AND LIVE! For more information you can visit the following Web sites:

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

• Air Bag and Seat Belt Safety Campaign, http://www.nsc.org/airbag.htm

• National Seat Belt Coalition, http://www.nsc.org/traf/sbc.htm

• Illinois Secretary of State, http://www.sos.state.il.us/departmentsdrivers/trafficsafety/occprotect.html

Sources: Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Illinois State Police.

Mary Zitek, Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives Safety/Education Services Coordinator. E-mail mzitek@aiec.coop.

14 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.aiec.coop