Seatbelt awareness: how a single moment in time can change your life

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — There's no shame in forgetting to do something. However, forgetting to wear a seat belt — that can be a life-threatening decision.

In 2024, 22,713 vehicle occupants were killed. Of those, 50% were not wearing seat belts, based on known seat belt use, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nobody thinks a crash will happen to them until it does. When putting your safety in the hands of other drivers, that moment can happen at any time.

Tonight on News Channel 3, hear from officials about how not wearing a seat belt can affect not only physical health but emotional health, too.