I’m writing to encourage everyone to wear their seat belt, but most of us already do that. Nearly 94 percent of us in Washington buckle up, and in Lewis County we’re doing even better at 96 percent. 

But in 2021, 36 percent of vehicle occupants who died in crashes in Washington were unrestrained. That’s not just data: it’s people in our community. People who don’t wear their seat belt tend to also engage in driving behaviors that increase their risk of a crash, making their seat belt even more important. That one simple habit could save the life of someone you love. 

No one plans to need their seat belt when they get in the car, and that’s just it; you might only need your seat belt for five seconds in your entire life, but you never know which five seconds it’s going to be. 

If you always put it on, it’ll be there for you when you need it.

Dianne Swanson

Target Zero Manager

WA Traffic Safety Commission