In 2007, seat belt use in the United States ranged from 63.8 percent in New Hampshire to 97.6 percent in Hawaii. These seat belt use rates are reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by States and Territories in response to grant requirements under 23 U.S.C. §§ 402, 406. The 2007 State and Territory surveys also found the following: n Twelve States and Territories achieved use rates of 90 percent or higher – Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Michigan, Maryland, Puerto Rico, Texas, New Mexico, New Jersey, Iowa, and Illinois. n Jurisdictions with primary belt-enforcement laws continue to exhibit generally higher use rates than those with secondary laws or no belt law. Kentucky strengthened its belt law to a primary enforcement law, effective July 2006, with citations issued beginning in January 2007. This State saw a jump in use from 67.2 percent in 2006 to 71.8 percent in 2007. Maine’s primary enforcement seat belt law took effect on September 17, 2007, but citations were issued beginning April 1, 2008. Seat belt use rates in the States, U.S. Territories, the District of Columbia, and nationwide from 2001-2007 are listed in the following table. Rates in jurisdictions with primary belt enforcement during the calendar year of the survey are shaded in the table. However, the law might not have taken effect when the survey was conducted. The 2003 rate for New Hampshire was not reported by the State. (Author/publisher)
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