A Driving Necessity Most people who have been in a car have leaned too far forward and have their seat belt on. At the moment, this seat belt feature seems like a hassle, but in reality that seat belt, closing at the right time, could save your life. Seat belts were created to be the first responder in a car accident and to help save your or a loved one's life. For many people the seat belt is a nuisance and an inconvenience, but for the luckiest it is a lifesaver. Through a combination of the history of the seat belt, an explanation of the seat belt controversy, and the great benefits of wearing one, this article will convince any reader that the seat belt is a very important safety feature. A seat belt is a restraint device that is installed in vehicles and is designed to minimize injuries during a crash. Most people believe that seat belts will save lives during a crash; however, some others believe they could be harmful. In most accidents, seat belts prevent people from hitting objects while in the car or from being ejected from the car. The United States is one of the few countries to have laws that state that if you don't wear a seat belt you will receive a fine. I believe seat belts are a necessity whenever anyone enters a motor vehicle. The first seat belt introduced in automobiles was the lap belt. It was a two-point seat belt and was invented in the 1930s. This seat belt was installed in cars on the assumption that it was necessary to prevent injuries during accidents. In 1959, the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo improved the two-point lap belt by creating a three-point lap and shoulder belt. This three-point seat belt is the most common and is used in almost all cars today... middle of paper... is when a seat belt makes the driver feel safer, thus encouraging them to drive worse. Many people also believe that seat belts violate their personal rights (Seatbelt, 2010). While these points may be true, the risk of wearing a seat belt is much lower than the risk of not wearing one. Seat belts are the number one defense against motor vehicle crashes and can save lives or prevent further harm to car crash victims (Danielle E. Roeber, 2008). Knowing the necessary information about the history of seat belts, the seat belt controversy, and the great benefits of wearing a seat belt will make you think twice the next time you get into your car and are about to put on your seat belt. Our everyday seat belt has come a long way and saved many lives. No one knows what's around the corner, but it's always a good idea to be prepared.