NEWS RELEASE

Washington Seat Belt Use - Now, Likely The Highest In The Nation and the World

September 25, 2006

Olympia, WA – Results from the latest observational research survey of seat belt use in Washington were released today and they show that the use rate has climbed to 96.3%.  This is likely to be the highest seat belt use rate in the nation and the world.

“These findings are good news for Washington motorists and law enforcement officers,” said Governor Christine Gregoire.  “I am proud that the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the Department of Transportation, the State Patrol and Washington drivers have consistently worked to improve the safety of our roads.”  

In June 2002, when the primary seat belt law went into effect, approximately 82% of drivers wore seatbelts. Since the adoption of the primary seat belt law and the launch of the “Click it or Ticket” project, seat belt use has climbed steadily during the years. Studies show that seat belts reduce serious injuries by 69% and deaths by 45%.

“Our goal is to save lives, and we hope that our efforts through programs such as “Click it or Ticket” remind drivers in Washington to buckle up to reduce injuries and fatalities on our roadways” said Lowell Porter, Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC).  “These new results show us that the model we use for the “Click it or Ticket” awareness and enforcement campaign, is working.”

After the adoption of the “Click it or Ticket” project and the enforcement of the primary seat belt law, the vehicle occupant death number dropped from 517 in 2002 to 421 in 2004 – nearly 100 lives were saved due to increases in seat belt use.  Traffic safety officials estimate that for every fatality avoided, about four serious injuries are avoided, too.  

Progress in getting motorists to buckle up is also attributed to the seat belt road signs. “The Washington Department of Transportation is proud to have been a partner in this lifesaving endeavor,” said Washington Department of Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald. 

Traffic deaths went up in 2005, despite increases in seat belt use. This followed a national trend of increases in roadway deaths. “We are still studying the tragic roadway death numbers from last year. We know that motorcycle deaths are up and it’s likely the spike may be related to speed-caused deaths, and impaired driving, but we won’t have the full picture until we get all of the data and have time to study it,” said WTSC Director Porter.

“The Washington State Patrol has been very involved with the enforcement and education efforts on seat belt use and we are very pleased that motorists are doing their part to stay safe,” said Chief John R. Batiste.  “When troopers tell me they are having a harder time finding unbuckled motorists on the highways in this state, I know the enforcement and education efforts are saving lives,” he explained.

Seat belt use has also been strongly promoted by local law enforcement. “It was through the hard work of law enforcement at all levels that we’ve been able to achieve this high seat belt use rate. City and county law enforcement deserve credit for the aggressive enforcement and educational activities in which they have participated,” said Porter.