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October 26, 2005
DOT ANNOUNCES BELT USE INCREASE, CYCLE HELMET USE DROP
In the past five years, safety belt use has increased steadily from 71 percent in 2000 to 82 percent this year, according to a new Department of Transportation survey.
The figures were released by DOT Secretary Norman Mineta. At a rate of 82 percent, he said, safety belts are preventing 15,700 fatalities, 350,000 serious injuries, and $67 billion in economic costs associated with traffic injuries and deaths every year. The increase in belt use over the past year alone has prevented 540 fatalities, 8,000 serious injuries, and $1.8 billion in economic costs, he added.
The Secretary said the success was due in large part to states that have passed primary safety belt laws. Twenty-one states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have primary safety belt laws that allow police officers to stop a motorist solely for belt violations. South Carolina will become the 22nd state with a primary law that takes effect in December.
Results for motorcycle helmet use were considerably less encouraging, according to the survey results. Between 2004 and 2005, the use of DOT-approved helmets dropped from 58 percent to 48 percent nationwide. Helmet use in states without mandatory laws was 37 percent.
For details visit this DOT site.
Posted by MVHAP at October 26, 2005 09:58 AM