Safety Benefits of Riding Properly Restrained in the Back Seat of a Motor Vehicle

BACKGROUND:   Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and disability in New York State (NYS). Riding properly restrained is one of the most effective means to reduce a person’s risk of death or injury. Despite these facts, NYS law does not require people over the age of 15 to use a seatbelt while riding in the backseat of a motor vehicle.

METHODS:   Police crash reports were linked to hospital and emergency department discharge data. Injuries occurring among those riding in the backseat were analyzed for seatbelt use. 

RESULTS: In 2010, 1,690 New Yorkers ages 16 and older who did not wear a seatbelt while riding in the backseat were treated in a hospital for their injuries. Treatment of these injuries resulted in almost $18 million in hospital charges. Among all backseat passengers ages 16 and older who were involved in a motor vehicle crash, the unrestrained were over four times more likely to require hospitalization than those who buckled up. The resulting average hospital charge was $21,000 higher for those who rode unrestrained. Furthermore, the unrestrained passengers were more than twice as likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury compared to those wearing a seatbelt. These findings were developed into a legislative factsheet to educate policymakers about the increased risk of injury and costs associated with riding unrestrained in the backseat.  

CONCLUSIONS:   These findings demonstrate the importance of using a seat belt while riding in the back seat of a motor vehicle. The NYSDOH partners with the NYS Highway Safety Office (HSO) to promote proper use of seatbelts. The NYSDOH provided the HSO with the legislative factsheet on increased risk of injuries and costs associated with not using a seatbelt in the backseat for ages 16 and older. The HSO provided it to their legislative liaison to support legislation to require backseat seatbelt use for ages 16 and older in NYS.