State Police Simulator Shows What Happens When ...
You Don't Wear a Seatbelt
By Lowman S. Henry

The car flips over several times while passengers lurch back and forth as the vehicle tumbles first side to side, then front to back, and finally comes to a stop. There are no serious injuries. Mostly because the "vehicle" is a simulator used by the Pennsylvania State Police to demonstrate what happens during a "rollover," but also because the "occupants" were wearing seatbelts and safety harnesses.

The simulator is turned on again, but this time the test dummies are not wearing seatbelts. With the first roll of the car the smallest, a baby doll, is flung out the side window. As the simulator jerks back to an upright position, the front seat passenger is also ejected. Had that been an actual accident, both passengers would have suffered serious -- if not fatal -- injuries.

"The simulator shows rather graphically the effects of wearing a seatbelt versus not wearing a seatbelt," explained Trooper Maurice Burton of the Pennsylvania State Police. "In a rollover situation your best chance of surviving the accident is if you are properly wearing a seatbelt and shoulder harness."

On a bright, sunny day, the rollover simulator drew attention at the Turnpike's King of Prussia service plaza. Turnpike travelers stopped to watch while Troopers handed out information kits on the importance of seat belt use.

Actually, using seat belts isn't just important -- its the law. Trooper Burton explained that Pennsylvania law requires children from birth until at least their first birthday to be buckled in an approved child safety seat in the back seat only and, through age four children must be buckled up in the back seat.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring children under the age of four are properly buckled into their vehicle. There is a $25.00 fine for not doing so. In fact, drivers and passengers of any age face a $10.00 fine for not wearing a seat belt, with the driver legally responsible for any passenger under the age of eighteen.

Pennsylvania State Police Troopers are aggressive in fining those drivers who do not comply with the law requiring children to be placed in a safety seat or buckled into the back seat of their vehicle. Termed "primary enforcement," a Trooper will stop a driver specifically to issue such a citation.

Troopers will rarely pull over an adult over the age of eighteen just for not wearing a seat belt. However, as a "secondary enforcement" procedure, drivers over the age of eighteen will be cited for not wearing a seatbelt if they are stopped for any other traffic violation.

Trooper Burton said parents and other adults should be especially mindful of children, particularly infants and those who are placed in child safety seats.

According to the Traffic Injury Prevention Project, here are some tips regarding children and child safety seats:

• Never hold a child in your lap while riding in either the front or back seat.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for correct installation.
• The center rear seat is the safest place in the car.
• Remember: infants face backward, toddlers face forward.
• Always use the car's seat belt to anchor the seat to the car.
• Make sure the seat's harness fits snugly (two finger widths of slack only).
• Use a tether strap if the seat requires it.
• Set a good example by using your seat belt everytime you travel.

Studies show that when children are correctly buckled up they are better behaved, feel more secure, fall asleep sooner and are less likely to be injured in the car.

Another key safety component now found in many cars is an air bag. Problems with air bags have received a lot of media coverage in recent months. The National Safety Council maintains that air bags do save lives. The Council warns, however, that air bags are not soft, billowy pillows. To do its job, an air bag comes out of the dashboard at up to 200 miles per hour. The force of an air bag can hurt those who are too close to it.

To prevent injury, the Council recommends the following precautions:

• Children 12 and under should ride buckled up in a rear seat.
• Infants should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger side air bag.
• Small children should ride in a rear seat in child safety seats approved for their age and size.
• Check your vehicle owner's manual and the instructions provided with your child safety seat for correct use information.
• Everyone should buckle up with both lap AND should belts on every trip.
• Driver and front passenger seats should be moved as far back as practical, particularly for shorter statured people.

Additional information on seat belt, child safety and air bag safety can be obtained from the following organizations:

Keystone Safety Belt Network, Inc
2941 N. Front St.,Harrisburg, PA 17110,(717) 238-8150

Traffic Injury Prevention Project
610 Old Lancaster Road, Suite 220,Bryn Mawr, PA 19010,1-800-CAR BELT

Air Bag Safety Campaign
National Safety Council,1025 Connecticut Ave., NW,12th Floor,Washington, DC 20036

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