Regular safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.
Yet nearly one in five Americans (18 percent nationally) still fail to regularly wear their safety belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
Although safety belt use increased to a record 82 perent nationally in 2005 (up fron 58 percent since 1994), too many Americans still choose not to regularly wear their safety belts.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), 31,693 passenger vehcile occupants died in traffic crashes during 2004 - and 55 percent of those killed were NOT wearing their safety belts at the time of the crash.
In 2005, observed safety belt use in primary law states average 85 percent, compared to 75 percent in states with secondary laws.
Who is Least Likely to Buckle Up?
Men - especially younger men. Studies find young males, pickup truck occupants, rural drivers and drivers at night are those least likely to buckle up and at greatest risk. For more information and facts, read on... NHTSA's "Click It or Ticket" Fact Sheet"
Washington State Teen Survey
Here in Spokane, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission will survey students at North Central High School on May 10th and Ferris High School on May 11th. To read more on the student survey, you can access the news release here:
