Are the chances of death or injury at low speeds the same for unbelted and belted drivers?

The correct answer is that the chances of death or injury at low speeds are not the same for unbelted and belted drivers, which makes the statement false. When a driver is wearing a seatbelt, they are significantly more protected during a collision. Seatbelts are designed to keep occupants secured in their seats, reducing the risk of being thrown from the vehicle or colliding with the steering wheel or windshield upon impact.

Research has shown that seat belts can reduce the risk of death for front-seat passengers by about 45% and the risk of injury by around 50%. Even at lower speeds, the protective benefits of wearing a seatbelt are evident; an unbelted driver is at a much greater risk of serious injury or fatality compared to a driver who is buckled up, regardless of the speed at which an accident occurs. This difference in safety outcomes highlights the importance of wearing seatbelts at all times while driving, as they can vastly improve survival rates and minimize injury severity in the event of a crash.