Many truckers aren't buckling up, but new federal initiatives aren't likely to boost their belt use rates.

Compared to the national belt use rate of 75 percent among drivers of passenger cars, pickup trucks and SUVs, only 50 percent of commercial truck drivers use their safety belts, according to a survey conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In addition, about one-third of truckers killed in 2002 were ejected from their vehicles as a result of not wearing safety belts. Part of the problem is that truckers are rarely cited for not wearing belts when they cross state lines. Therefore, roadside inspectors should step up their efforts to ensure that truckers are complying with state seat belt laws.