Who hasn't heard the phrase, Buckle up? Of course everyone has and realizes that buckling up your seat belt is the best way to protect against serious injury or death in a motor vehicle accident. The cost of unbuckled occupants goes beyond those killed and the loss to their families. We all pay for those who don't buckle up in higher insurance costs, higher health care expenses and lost productivity.
It doesn't matter if you drive a sedan, van, truck or a small electric GEM, it is important for drivers of any vehicle to wear a seat belt. On campus or off, safety is important for staff, faculty, students and the entire community.
UCLA Transportation, Insurance & Risk Management and Environmental Health & Safety are once again sponsoring, “Buckle Up Bruins,” a campus-wide seat belt awareness campaign beginning in May. “Click it or Ticket,” the nationwide seat belt campaign, will start mid-May and run until June 1, 2014.
To understand the value of a seat belt, it is important to understand the dynamics of a collision. There are three distinct collisions that occur when you hit something or are hit by another vehicle:
The Car’s Collision: The first collision is when the vehicle hits something and comes to an abrupt stop.
The Human Collision: The second collision is when the occupants in the vehicle hit some part of the interior of the vehicle or other occupants.
The Internal Collision: The third collision often causes serious or fatal injuries. Even after your body comes to a complete stop, internal organs are still moving forward hitting other organs or the skeletal system.
When it comes to collisions, wearing a seat belt is simply the most effective way to reduce injuries and fatalities. How effective? Seat belts save over 12,000 lives every year – and one of them could be yours!
Join us in promoting this campaign by posting the Buckle Up Bruins flyer in your department. If you see your coworkers not wearing a seat belt, remind them to buckle up. Everyone at UCLA should look out for the safety of our most valuable resource – our employees.
Remember, seat belt use reinforced by effective seat belt laws is a proven life saver. It’s the right thing to do and it affects more than just you. Commit to Safety. Buckle Up Bruins!
