In 2006, seat belt use in the United States continued to be higher among females (85%) than males (78%). This result is from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), which provides the only probability-based observed data on seat belt use in the United States. The NOPUS is conducted annually by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 2006 survey also found the following: * Seat belt use continued to be lower among 16- to 24-yearolds than other age groups. * Seat belt use continued to be lower among drivers driving alone than among drivers with passengers. n Seat belt use continued to be lower among African-Americans than other races. The seat belt use nationwide was 81 percent in 2006, down slightly but not statistically from the 2005 use rate of 82 percent. This research note is presenting the demographic breakouts of the 81 percent national rate. For information of the 2006 use rates in terms of region, vehicle type, etc., please see the companion publication “Seat Belt Use in 2006: Overall Results,” which is available at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-30/ncsa/AvailInf.html. (Author/publisher)
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