Improved seat belt use and record low traffic deaths: no coincidence

As Ken Thomas of the Associated Press is reporting today, "the number of people killed in auto accidents hit its lowest level in five decades."

And, while AP seems to attribute the decrease to fewer miles traveled, the rate of deaths per mile traveled in 2008 is the lowest on record. That means something else is the effective cause of this new safety record.

For the explanation, I'd point to increased seat belt use, which also reached a record level in 2008. The national average of seat belt use was 83%, a good number though not one we can afford to be satisfied with. The top sixteen states and territories achieved seat belt use rates of 90 percent or higher. Those are Michigan, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Maryland, Iowa, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Delaware, Indiana, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Illinois and the District of Columbia.

Congratulations to Michigan for leading the way with an amazing 97.2% use rate. States like Michigan are raising the bar on seat belt use, making communities safer and keeping families intact.

Lower fatalities and higher seat belt use are trends we want to see.  Americans should be pleased that everyone has stepped up to make driving safer.

To see how your state or territory did in 2008 view NHTSA's report showing 2008 seat belt use click here. To view the report showing estimated fatalities in 2008, click here.

You can call it the result of increased seat belt use; you can call it the result of fewer miles traveled. I call it good news.

Comments

[Albert]

Well, Good information for drivers but when will people learn!

[Nancy]

There should be cars out that force you to wear a seat belt. And if you don't wear it, the car won't start. Automakers should look into this.

[auto parts safety]

With the G.O.A. (Global Outstanding Assessment) concept, Toyota creates cars that set the world’s standard for safety including wearing seatbelts. Which is something that can have a lot of impact on your life as well as the lives of the people you care about.

[control kids]

Congratulations to Michigan! I would like to see a breakdown of each state's seat belt use.

[Montway Auto Transport]

I remember some older car models with some sort of automatic seat belts. As soon as you're in the driver seat the seat belt goes on!
I don't see that option in the newer car models - what happened with that?
I think Automakers should explore this opportunity more and help people survive accidents.

[Seozy]

no matter which city or country you are living in.. seat belt applies to each and everyone...I enjoyed reading your work! GREAT post! I looked around for this..Anyway, would you mind if I threw up a backlink from my site to your site?

[clasamente]

There is a need for improved automotive seatbelt protection for people who have difficulties in keeping the traditional seatbelt in its intended position. The major cause of this is that the existing seatbelts do not accommodate many different body shapes and sizes. In particular, pregnant women are a perfect example of this group of people and present a challenge for automobile manufacturers.

[John Peter]

Whether it is increase of seat belt use or lesser journey travelled,its really good to hear that auto accidents was at its minimum in the previous year.Hope it remains like that in future too.

[Jane Anderson]

Good one! Seat belts are very crucial one; I have known it on my own experience. My cousin sister met with an accident and she died in that accident only for the reason that she did not wear the seat belt. There are firm seat belt laws worldwide but, according to statistics, they are hardly followed. Approximately 50% lives will be saved in an accident if public wear seat belts.

It's really great to hear the accidents have been reduced when compared to the previous years. I hope the accidents are totally stopped in future. This can only be done if people follow all the safety records.

[boutique hotel goa]

Good one! Seat belts are very crucial one; I have known it on my own experience. My cousin sister met with an accident and she died in that accident only for the reason that she did not wear the seat belt. There are firm seat belt laws worldwide but, according to statistics, they are hardly followed. Approximately 50% lives will be saved in an accident if public wear seat belts.

It's really great to hear the accidents have been reduced when compared to the previous years. I hope the accidents are totally stopped in future. This can only be done if people follow all the safety records.

[Car Shipping]

I am a supporter of seat belt usage after I watched my father survive his rollover on Interstate I-95. If is wasn't for the seat belt I would be fatherless according to the paramedics. I always wear mine, its a natural habit. Life is to precious and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

[Peter Duffy]

I have really enjoyed reading this! Great information!

[David]

I'm support for usage of seat belt. Because I have known it my own experience. My friend met with an accident and he died in that accident only for the reason that he did not wear the seat belt. I miss my friend for that reason only. So I always wear mine. Life is to precious and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

[Dentist Guru]

I agree I had accident 6month ago and I had seat belt and that's only thing that kept me alive, airbag suck!

[Lou Alessi]

While I still use my seat belt all the time, I am no longer paranoid about it. I used to buckle my kids up going from Home Depot to Wal-Mart...even thought they were in the same parking lot! I thought I was being "safe and protective" but really there is an invisible line that is hard to see where you cross into "over" protective. That line is common sense.

Mr. Alessi
http://holstersreviewed.com

[Red the Digital Dentist Lover]

It's a good thing the government always implement the rules. but we never know there are still nuts out there who are not following the rules. and at the end of the day those you don't follow always get the consequences of the things they did. "Prevention is really better that cure", Congratulations to Michigan!

[Biology Homework Help]

Many people are very irresponsible. Any good thing is always bad for them. Some people are never following anything. they might thinking that we follow or not no one will ask.

[Hungary news]

Speeding and seat belts - the two most serious issues that affect people while driving and having an accident. Lower speed and using the seat belt just make sense - I do not understand those who ignore both. Driving is a serious life threatening activity why not stick to the basic and sensible rules? They are in our interest and many people risk not only their own life but that of other fellow passengers or innocent walkers in the street.

[Automobile Transport]

They are right in that the definitely is not a coincidence. It is basic physics, if you are driving at 60 miles an hour and hit a tree, you will fly out of your car if you are not wearing a seat belt.

[car transportation]

Lower fatalities and higher seat belt use are trends we want to see.

[Rahul Batra]

Accidents rate has lower down due to high law and order in the cities. Traffic rules has been lifted so much that causes lower accident rates.

[Jin]

It is good for those people to use seat belts as this will really help them reduce accidents, that is why I am proud that almost all are trying to use seat belts for their own prtection.

[Arc welder]

"the number of people killed in auto accidents hit its lowest level in five decades."

Great info and happy to see that this happens because of wearing seat belt.

[Ken Ye]

I used to have a real bad car accident and thank god that I have a seat belt on which tight me up while my car was spanning. Now, every time I always remind my families to put setbelt before driving on the road.

[Term Life Insurance Rockstar]

Well, this is super positive. California is just cramming the "Click it or Ticket" down everyone's throat and it seems to be working. Can anyone else tell me if CLICK IT OR TICKET is operating in your state?