THE MYTH

If your car has airbags you don't need a seat belt.

THE REAL DEAL

The safest way to ride is buckled up, in a vehicle equipped with airbags. Even without an airbag, you are safer buckled up, than you are with an airbag and not buckled up.

THE MYTH

Seat belts can trap you in a fire or underwater.

THE REAL DEAL

Incidents involving fire or water account for ½ of 1 percent of all crashes. But more importantly, you can't escape such dangers unless you're conscious. Wearing a seat belt gives you a much greater chance of being conscious and able-bodied.

THE MYTH

If you're not going far or traveling fast seat belts aren't necessary.

THE REAL DEAL

Seemingly routine trips can be deceptively dangerous. Most fatal crashes happen within 25 miles from home and at speeds of less than 40 mph.

THE MYTH

Your seat belt can hurt you in a crash.

THE REAL DEAL

In a crash, everything in your car can cause you harm - your seat belt is one of the few things that can actually save you.

THE MYTH

Just being in a pickup truck makes you safer than everyone else.

THE REAL DEAL

For SUV, pickup, and van occupants, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to the driver and front seat passenger by 60 percent.

THE MYTH

It's not as essential for guys to wear seat belts; they're much better drivers.

THE REAL DEAL

Young men are most at risk. Among passenger vehicle occupants, men ages 18-34, who were killed in fatal crashes, 65% were not buckled.