In automobile accidents, serious or fatal injuries are often the result of riders’ being thrown from the vehicle. Since the 1960’s , federal regulations have required that cars be equipped with seat belts. More recently, front seat airbags have also been required in an effort to reduce fatal injuries. Still, we often read of people being thrown from their vehicle in accident reports.

In a head-on collision, the airbag inflates rapidly to prevent the rider from moving forward and colliding with the windshield or steering column. The air bag provides cushion between the rider and other objects in the car. Head-on collisions are not the most frequent type of serious accident, however. Rollover accidents involving single vehicles are common. In this case, the vehicle will go into a spin. In rollover accidents, seat belts provide the force necessary to hold the rider in place.

Use the information provided above to write an essay that answers the following question:

Do you believe that the government should enforce automobile safety regulations? Remember to use claim, evidence, and reasoning to support your answer.

1 answer

I believe that the government should enforce automobile safety regulations in order to protect the lives of drivers and passengers on the road. The implementation of seat belts and airbags in vehicles has proven to be effective in reducing the severity of injuries in automobile accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017 alone.

The regulations put in place by the government are based on research and data that show the effectiveness of safety features in preventing serious injuries and fatalities in accidents. For example, in head-on collisions, airbags provide a cushion between the rider and other objects in the car, reducing the impact of the collision and preventing the rider from being thrown forward and hitting the windshield or steering column. In rollover accidents, seat belts help to hold the rider in place, reducing the likelihood of being thrown from the vehicle.

Enforcing these regulations is necessary to ensure that automobile manufacturers are held accountable for implementing safety features in their vehicles. Without these regulations, manufacturers may prioritize cost-cutting measures over safety features, putting the lives of drivers and passengers at risk. By enforcing safety regulations, the government can help to ensure that all vehicles on the road meet minimum safety standards.

In conclusion, the government should continue to enforce automobile safety regulations in order to protect the lives of drivers and passengers on the road. The implementation of seat belts and airbags has proven to be effective in reducing the severity of injuries in accidents, and enforcing these regulations is necessary to ensure that all vehicles meet minimum safety standards. Ultimately, the goal of these regulations is to save lives and prevent serious injuries in automobile accidents.