Between 1983 and 1987, seat belts saved the lives of an estimated 10,938 travelers over four years old in the front seats of passenger vehicles (cars, pickups, vans, and utility vehicles). Belt use laws saved 6,907 of these lives (63%) by requiring seat belt use in states with belt use laws and encouraging seat belt use in states without belt use laws. Another 4,301 of the lives (37%) were saved by pre-law (1983) seat belt use levels.
Abstract