Press Release: 2022-01-21

MassDOT, MAPFRE Insurance Reminder: Make a resolution to wear your seat belt!

MassDOT, MAPFRE Insurance Reminder: Make a resolution to wear your seat belt!:



JAN 20 2022



The new year came with a drop in temperatures, and of course some snow storms here and there, throughout Massachusetts. Although we are used to New England weather changing abruptly, many don’t realize there may be road hazards such as black ice, potholes, and just large water puddles. Drivers should think safety when getting behind the wheel, drive hands-free, drive sober, travel at our below the speed limit and always wear a seat belt.



In 2017, nearly 15,000 lives were saved due to seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). An additional 2,549 lives could have been saved had they been wearing their seat belts. Buckling up helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle. Deciding to not buckle up can result in being totally ejected from the vehicle in a crash, which is almost always deadly. If you buckle up in the front seat of a passenger car, you can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 45% and moderate to critical injury by 50%. When driving in a light truck, you can reduce these risks by 60% and 65%, respectively.



NHTSA provides the following tips to ensure you are wearing your seat belt correctly:




  • The lap belt and shoulder belt are secured across the pelvis and rib cage, which are better able to withstand crash forces than other parts of your body

  • Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck

  • The lap belt rests across your hips, not your stomach

  • NEVER put the shoulder belt behind your back or under an arm



In the Northeast region of the U.S., seat belt used increased slightly from 2019 to 2020 by 1%. Despite this, the Northeast currently ranks the lowest among other regions in seat belt use. Before starting your car, ensure you and every passenger is buckled up. Make it a habit every trip, every time.



The MassDOT Highway Assistance Program sponsored by MAPFRE Insurance is on patrol to help on the highways. Patrol operators monitor some of the state’s busiest highways and turnpikes around Metro Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Cape Cod (seasonal). The Highway Assistance Patrol covers 13 major state roadways and interstates, the Emergency Service Patrol covers the Mass Pike (I-90) from New York to Boston and the Incident Response Operators cover the Metropolitan Highway System and tunnels. The Highway Assistance Patrol is in service Monday–Friday between the hours of 6 a.m.–10 a.m. and 3 p.m.–7 p.m. During holidays, there are extended routes in heavy traffic areas. On I-90, and in Boston’s tunnel system, assistance is provided 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.



Written By



Keith Jensen



Senior Vice President, Northeast Business Development



MAPFRE Insurance