According to a new study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)‚ seat belt use during 2009 was at an all-time high. Eighty-four percent (84%) of all vehicle occupants use seat belts while traveling in vehicles. That was up from 2008 where the same study found 83% of all vehicle occupants wore their seat belts.
According to the same study‚ the NHTSA found that seat belt use was higher in “primary law” states such as California (states where vehicles can be pulled over solely for passengers not using seat belts) than in “secondary law” states that require the violation of another California Vehicle Code section before a vehicle can be pulled over.
This is encouraging news. It isn’t surprising that the best way to prevent or limit injury in motor vehicle accidents is the use of seat belts that restrain occupants around the waist and shoulders. Why the percentage of passengers using seat belts is not at least 90% is beyond me. Using seat belts should be second nature and people should put them on when they first enter a car.
Please help get this number to at least 90% by putting on seat belts immediately and encouraging all other passengers in your vehicle to do the same to prevent serious injury or even death.
