The seat-belt is an effective safety tool that not only saves lives, but also significantly
reduces the severity of injury that a vehicle occupant may have sustained if they were
not wearing the device. Around half of all deaths of front seat occupants could be
prevented through the correct use of seat-belts.
Motor vehicle users make up a high proportion of overall traffic injuries and deaths
in high-income countries, and in low- and middle-income countries the proportion
is growing as motor vehicle ownership is increasing. It is therefore vital that seat-
belt use is increased in these countries to prevent a rapid growth in death and injury
among vehicle occupants.