Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States. Wearing seat belts is the easiest and most effective way of cutting the highway death toll and strong occupant protection laws are the most effective way of increasing safety belt use. Highway deaths could be cut dramatically if states upgraded their laws to improve coverage and enforcement. A model state safety belt use law is available from NHTSA. This fact sheet provides further information about this topic under the following headings: Make All Belt Use Laws Subject to Primary Enforcement; Protect All Vehicle Occupants in All Passenger Vehicles; Emphasize Enforcement and Levy Significant Fines; Conduct Public Awareness and Enforcement Campaigns; and Occupant Protection Grant Programs. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting