Seat Belt Facts

In the United States, injuries from motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for every age group from four through 33 years old.   In 2000, an average of 115 persons died each day in motor vehicle crashes – one every thirteen minutes.  Proper, consistent use of safety belts and child safety seats dramatically reduces the risk of being killed or injured in the event of a car crash.  

Nationally*: 

§         Safety belts and child restraints are credited with saving the lives of over 11,000 vehicle passengers over the age of four during 2000.

§         Every 14 seconds, someone is injured in a traffic crash.

§         In 2002, the safety belt use rate is 75%.

§         The average inpatient hospital costs for crash victims not wearing safety belts were 50% higher than for those who were. 

In Massachusetts*: 

• In 2001, the statewide safety belt use rate was 56%, with only 50% of Massachusetts teens observed to be belted.

• In 2000, more than 60% of people involved in fatal crashes in Massachusetts were unbuckled.

• 433 and 477 people were killed in traffic related crashes in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

§          In 2000, crashes cost Massachusetts $6.3 billion.  

*National statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Massachusetts statistics provided by the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau.