In a collision, the front of your vehicle crumples or crushes to absorb the energy of the crash and to protect the shape and form of the area in front of you, sometimes known as the "life space" (dashboard, steering column, air bag). On impact, everyone and everything inside the vehicle move toward the point of impact. Seat belts and air bags work together to bring you to a gentle stop. If you are unrestrained, most of the safety features don't fully function and you can become a human projectile.

Anything you can do to keep from being ejected, hitting something inside the vehicle or having something hit you will greatly increase your chances of surviving a crash. And that, quite simply, is what seat belts; air bags and child car seats are all about.

Plans are underway to hold the first ever "National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims" on November 19 to raise awareness of road safety and promote ways to prevent road traffic injury and death on our roads. Information and downloads on how to get involved are available on the Transport Canada website at www.tc.gc.ca/hookedonroadsafety/awareness.htm.