Seatbelt safety imperative during holidays Published Nov. 17, 2008 By The 21st Space Wing Safety Office PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Thanksgiving holiday should be a joyous time for all families in America, but far too often the celebration turns to tragedy on the nation's highways. Everyone driving this holiday week should drive carefully and defensively. Don't drive impaired and, most importantly, buckle up each and every trip. To lose a loved one is a terrible thing to experience, especially during America's family holiday, but to lose one's life when it might have been saved by taking two seconds to buckle a seat belt is truly senseless. When you're in your vehicle, whether for long trips or short, please remember to buckle up every trip, every time. Unfortunately, this good advice isn't heeded. Nationally, during the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2006, about 457 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, including 188 during daylight hours and 266 during night time (three deaths were unknown regarding time). Night time is one of the most dangerous times on the road because seat belt use is lower. Of the 266 night-time Thanksgiving passenger vehicle occupant deaths, 138 died with their seat belts unfastened (where seat belt use was known). Almost half of the daytime deaths were not wearing seat belts. Regular seat belt use is the single, most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Research has shown when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent. The 21st Space Wing Safety Office wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving. And remember, the only belt you should unbuckle this, and every Thanksgiving, is the one at the dinner table, not the one in your car. For more information about highway safety during this Thanksgiving holiday, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.