Click it or risk it

As we are leaving winter in our tail lights and the driving conditions may not be as bad, we should still practice safe driving and seatbelt usage.

According to the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety, Half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school, but the chances of survival in these accidents increase with 2.54 inches.

2.54 inches doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s about the width of your iPhone, but it’s a small distance that can save your life – the width of a seatbelt.

A study done by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that of the teens that died in car crashes in 2012, approximately 55% of them were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

For senior Jenna Bedsual, wearing a seatbelt is very important after recently being in a car accident.

“It takes two seconds to put on, and it could save your life,” Bedsual said.

According to the National Organizations for Youth Safety, when a lap/shoulder seat belt is used, it can reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 45%.

Bedsual thinks that students should be educated more on seat belt safety.

“Many students still don’t wear seatbelts but if they were educated more they would,” Bedsual said. “I think it takes experience, because once you’re in a car accident or know someone who is, you’re like ‘oh my god I need to wear it.”

Nebraska’s current law states that the driver of the car, any front seat passenger, and any children under 18 must wear a seatbelt while the vehicle is moving.

Whether you’re in the driver’s seat or just a passenger, always wear your seatbelt