"Buckle up, it affects your family, too"-That's the word from the wives of our nation's truck drivers to encourage their husbands to use their safety belts on the road.

NAPSI)-America needs you. Buckle up. This message is to combat the low safety belt use among the nation's truck drivers, who are so important to America. Less than half of the nation's commercial motor vehicle drivers wear them. Part of the campaign for commercial motor vehicle driver safety belt use is a safety belt myth and fact sheet. It includes these interesting facts and fallacies.

Myth: Wearing a safety belt is a personal decision and doesn't affect anyone else.

Fact: Wearing a safety belt is the law for truckers. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require that truckers buckle up. The consequences of not wearing a safety belt can greatly affect your family and loved ones. What would be the emotional and financial effect on your loved ones if you were killed or seriously injured in a crash as the result of not buckling up?

It is your responsibility to maintain control of your vehicle. Safety belts are your best chance of remaining in control of your truck in a crash or emergency situation.

Myth: A safety belt will trap me inside my vehicle. I won't be able to get out of the cab if it catches fire or is submerged in water.

Fact: Your best chance of survival is remaining conscious and in place behind the wheel of your truck. Wearing your safety belt greatly reduces your chance of sustaining injuries and increases your chance of survival.

To learn more, visit the Department of Transportation Web site at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetybelt.