Sunday, February 17, 2008
Obese less likely to use seatbelts
A telephone survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed obese people are less likely to protect themselves with seatbelts while driving. According to the results, 70% of extremely obese buckle up as compared to 83% of average-weight people.
Seat belt standards, set over 40 years ago, require a belt to fit people weighing up to 215 pounds with a hip circumference of 47 inches when seated. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 38 million Americans exceed this measurement.
The 3 largest American manufacturers, along with Honda, make larger seatbelts or seat belt extenders available as an option for larger customers. Although this sounds like a viable alternative, it is exceedingly difficult for a salesperson to risk closing a deal by asking a customer if they would like this option as it is equal to calling the customer “fat”.
With more than 50% of traffic deaths coming from the 20% of people not wearing seat belts, it would be humanitarian to consider ways to make larger belts available without the stigma of having to provide your weight when you buy a new car. Perhaps the used car market or automotive aftermarket could solve the problem easier than the original manufacturers. ¶ 2/17/2008
A telephone survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed obese people are less likely to protect themselves with seatbelts while driving. According to the results, 70% of extremely obese buckle up as compared to 83% of average-weight people.Seat belt standards, set over 40 years ago, require a belt to fit people weighing up to 215 pounds with a hip circumference of 47 inches when seated. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 38 million Americans exceed this measurement.
The 3 largest American manufacturers, along with Honda, make larger seatbelts or seat belt extenders available as an option for larger customers. Although this sounds like a viable alternative, it is exceedingly difficult for a salesperson to risk closing a deal by asking a customer if they would like this option as it is equal to calling the customer “fat”.
With more than 50% of traffic deaths coming from the 20% of people not wearing seat belts, it would be humanitarian to consider ways to make larger belts available without the stigma of having to provide your weight when you buy a new car. Perhaps the used car market or automotive aftermarket could solve the problem easier than the original manufacturers. ¶ 2/17/2008
