Safety measures are put in place for a reason. They are meant to protect us. But humans are imperfect. We are bound to make the choice of forgoing these measures and taking risks that put us, and even others, in danger.
Some of these risks can result in fatal consequences.
One of the first precautions we’re taught as children is to wear our seatbelts. Buckling up does more than just make us feel secure, it drastically increases our chances of survival.
According to NHTSA, the national usage for seatbelts in the United States was at 89.6% in 2017. They have also saved an estimated 14,955 lives.
Oftentimes, it is young men who do not wear their seatbelts.
In an effort to help change the stigma of wearing them, New Zealand Transport Agency and Clemenger BBDO Wellington partnered with VICE to raise awareness regarding the importance of wearing a seatbelt.
They put out a call around New Zealand asking young men who were saved by their seatbelts from otherwise, fatal crashes, to share their stories.
They received hundreds of powerful stories and chose ten to share for their campaign.
About 90 people die in car crashes every year in New Zealand because they weren’t buckled in. In the United States, that number leaps to 2,500.
For their campaign, they used FX and PROFX to recreate how the young men looked with their injuries after their accident.
Once their photos were taken, they were put up around their hometowns, and even events around New Zealand, to show how seatbelts can save lives.
Clemenger BBDO Wellington ECD Brigid Alkema says, “We hope this truth will move our audience to wear their seatbelt.”
Take a look at the photos of these young men and read about their harrowing experiences.
Seatbelts saved their lives and could possibly save yours.
Liam
Liam is perhaps one of the most grateful for his seatbelt. He was was T-boned by a truck near his house. He suffered a brain bleed, amongst other injuries, that caused him to slip into a coma. Liam was in the coma for ten days.
However, he woke from it the day before his daughter was born and was able to witness her birth.
Will
Will was at an intersection when he was struck from behind. The injuries to his brain were so severe, he had to learn how to walk and talk again.
James
James was involved in his accident while traveling a road that he drove every day.
His eyes were blocked by the sun and he went head-first into an 18-wheeler.
James broke his arm and split his nose. The force was so powerful, he broke the steering wheel with his face.
Dylan
Dylan, like Liam, was T-boned near his house. He suffered a brain injury and broke the bone that connects the head to the spine.
Miracously, he made a full recovery in a year’s time.
Dion
Dion’s car slid on a wet road. His car spun twice before stopping in a ditch. He totaled his car but fortunately made it out alive.
Willy
Will’s car took out 50 meters of fencing, hit a power pole, and then landed on its side.
Kahutia
While rounding a corner, Kahutia’s car flipped upside down before stopping at a tree. His arm was crushed by the weight of the car.
Dan
Dan was just 21-years-old when he was hit by a drunk driver. His injuries were so severe, paramedics had to perform a tracheotomy at the scene of the accident.
Rick
Rick was driving home when his ute was clipped by a train. He spun out of control before hitting the transformer box.
Had it not been for his seatbelt, he would have been thrown out of the vehicle.
These young men are a physical reminder of the life-saving advantages of wearing a seatbelt. The next time you get in your car, please remember to buckle up!
You can read more about their stories at Belted Survivors.
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