CDC Study Finds One in Seven Americans Use Seat Belts
A report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that about 6 out of 7 U.S. drivers buckle up when they get behind the wheel, although regional differences seem to dictate how often. For example, in North Dakota, seat belt use is the lowest in the nation at 59 percent, while most frequent users can be found in Oregon where about 94 percent of drivers use seat belts.
However, the survey finds that the 1 in 7 still not wearing seat belts results in one emergency room visit every 14 seconds for injuries related to the crash. Buckling up can cut in half the chance of being seriously hurt or killed in an automobile crash.
In June 2009, Florida enacted a primary seat belt enforcement law which allows law enforcement to pull over and issue a ticket solely because the driver or vehicle occupants are not using a seat belt. This study finds states with the primary enforcement law tend to have more seat belt use (88 percent) compared to states with no primary enforcement law (79 percent). The CDC reports that 19 states do not have a primary enforcement law.
The national average for seat belt use is 85 percent.
Farah & Farah’s Florida auto accident attorneys remind you that car crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 5 – 34. Seat belts are the single most effective tool a driver and passenger can use to avoid traumatic injuries and the associated costs that can last a lifetime.
We also recommend all children ages 12 and under sit in the back seat and that older children use a booster seat. Unfortunately, Florida does not require children who have outgrown a child car seat to sit in a booster seat so the seat belt better fits to hold them in place in case of a crash.
The Farah & Farah law firm hopes you and your loved ones are never in a car accident in Florida, but if you are, we have the experience and the team to fight for your rights at no cost to you. Call us so we can get started at 800-533-3555.
