We asked Owens students, faculty, and staff why they chose to wear a seat belt. Over 350 people responded. Here is what they said…
1. A Word Cloud
First, take a look at a word cloud based on people’s answers. Larger texts indicate more frequent mentions. Which words stand out to you?
2. The Most Frequent Reasons
Next, let’s examine the most frequent reasons, shown in a bar plot. Are you buckling up for the same reasons?
For My Own Safety:
“To help keep me safe.”
For the Safety of My Passengers:
“I’m a mother of 4 and soon to be a grandmother. I need to keep myself and my family safe at all times.”
It’s the Law:
“I choose to buckle up because it is the law. It is also for the safety of yourself and your passengers.”
Be a Good Role Model:
“I want to set a good example for my sons who are new and soon-to-be-new drivers.”
3. Personal Stories
15.9% of people had a personal story to share: their own life was saved by a seat belt, or they lost someone dearest to them because they were not wearing a seat belt…We hope we will never get into a car accident. But if we do, we’d better wear a seat belt.
“A seatbelt saved my life in a terrifying accident 10 years ago, I should’ve been dead or seriously injured but instead walked away with scrapes and bruises.”
“I have lost people important to me who were not wearing their seatbelts. In contrast, my own life was saved by mine.”
“My best friend died when we were 16 she was confirmed brain dead on the scene from not wearing a seat belt.”
4. For Yourself, But Also For Others
33.2% of people mentioned that buckling up is not only for yourself but also for others: it protects your passengers and your future with your loved ones.
“To keep myself and my loved ones safe.”
“So my kids will have a mom if we crash.”
“I wear a seat belt so that people around me and myself are protected at all times. I don’t want my family or someone else’s family to have to go through tragedy just because someone didnt put a seat belt on. This can be prevented by taking safety measures. I hope everyone will start taking this more seriously.”