How Has Seat Belt Use Evolved In Recent Years?

Do Seat Belts Still Lower Motor Vehicle Accident Fatalities?

Back in 1994, seat belt use in the country was only 58 percent. In those days the percentage of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities during daytime was almost the same, at 57 percent. Fifteen years later, in 2009, seat belt use has gone up to 84 percent while the percentage of daytime fatalities has dropped to 44 percent.

The pattern is the same year-to-year, with seat belt use going up and fatalities going down. A better proof cannot be produced to convince Wisconsin and Illinois motorists that they should buckle up at all times, at all ages and wherever they are seated in the car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducts a nationwide probability-based survey on seat belt use annually, and found the following in 2010:

• Seat belt used for occupants traveling during weekdays increased from 83 percent in 2009 to 85 percent in 2010;
• Seat belt use continues to be higher (88 percent) in states with a primary law on seat belts (meaning occupants can be pulled over solely for not using seat belts), than in states with weaker enforcement or no laws. Both Illinois and Wisconsin have primary laws for seat belt use (77 percent);
• Seat belt use for occupants in rural areas increased from 81 percent in 2009 to 83 percent in 2010;
• Seat belt use for occupants traveling on expressways increased from 89 percent in 2009 to 91 percent in 2010.

Hupy & Abraham take your safety seriously. If you have been hurt in a Wisconsin or Illinois car accident, contact Hupy & Abraham, S.C. today at 800-800-5676 (toll-free) or 414-223-4800 (local) for a free evaluation of your case, or send us an e-mail with your questions. Hupy & Abraham have offices in Milwaukee, Madison, and Appleton in Wisconsin, and Gurnee and Bloomington in Illinois.