In 2001, belt use in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico continued the general pattern of increase seen since use was first measured. All but three states reported use rates, which ranged from 52.3% in West Virginia to 91.1% in California. Rates were obtained using observational surveys that meet standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to ensure consistent estimates of high quality. Use continues to be higher in states that can enforce belt laws more strictly. Belt use was estimated to be 78% in primary enforcement states and 67% in secondary enforcement states in 2001. The best measure of improvement in belt use is the "conversion rate," which is the rate of decrease of belt nonuse from one year to the next. Nationally, about 8.5% of nonusers are converted to users each year. This research note contains a table showing 2001 state belt use rates and conversion rates.
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