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Involve “tweens” in family discussions about safety in all motor vehicles.
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Teach children that safety belts save lives and that an unbuckled passenger is likely to injure others.
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Make sure the shoulder belt fits correctly across the center of the chest and collarbone, and the lap belt remains low and snug across the hips/upper thighs, and that good posture is maintained.
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Make sure both a lap and shoulder belts are used. A lap belt alone does not provide adequate upper body protection. Putting a shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm can cause severe injury.
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Teach “tweens” to counter peer pressure with the facts; such as: “Your best defense in a crash is wearing your seat belt” and “You are more likely to be killed in a crash by being ejected”. A properly worn seat belt protects them in five ways:
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Prevents ejection from the vehicle. Ejected occupants are 4 times more likely to die.
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Contacts the strongest parts of the body.
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Spreads the crash forces across the child’s body.
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Provides “ride-down” in a crash. ( Ride-down is the extension of time during a crash that the forces are experienced by the occupant. A quick change in speed is what causes injury. Safety belts and child safety seats are designed to help slow down the body in a crash. )
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Protects the tween’s head, neck, and spine.
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If carpooling, make sure that other drivers have the same rules as you do and they enforce them in their vehicles as well.
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Limit the number of passengers you transport to avoid driver distraction.
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Create a list of “car rules” with your “tweens” so they know what is expected. Discuss who your “tweens” are allowed to ride in a car with, when your “tweens” should refuse a ride, and that buckling up is always required.
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Make sure your “tweens” always have money or a cell phone to call home for a ride.
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Always be a good role model by buckling up every time and require everyone in the vehicle to be properly restrained.