The grim reality

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Conversely, he said, "Seat belts save lives. They keep the body in the position it needs to be and the injuries are not as severe."

That's something state lawmakers should keep in mind as they consider a tougher seat-belt law. The proposed law would allow law enforcement to ticket motorists — and assess them a modest fine— for not wearing seat belts.

Upstate coroners and highway patrol officers keenly understand the consequences when seat belts are neglected. They have to deal not only with the victims but also with families suffering losses.

Their feelings about the importance of seat belts are backed up by statistics. So far this year, 117 people who have died in crashes statewide had access to seat belts but 87 of them — 74 percent — went unbuckled.

A couple of other unsettling statistics: The mileage death rate for the state is 47 percent higher than the national average. People age 19 and under die in traffic crashes at a rate 66 percent higher than the national average.

South Carolina, in other words, has some of the deadliest roads in the nation. A better seat-belt law would not solve the problem but it would help make the roads a little safer. The Legislature should approve this bill that will save lives.