United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Number 405

Tech Report

United States

United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

States with primary seat belt enforcement laws consistently

have higher observed daytime seat belt use rates than secondary

law States. Secondary belt law States, on the other

hand, consistently have more motor vehicle fatalities who

were not restrained than do primary law States. Primary

laws are associated with a 10 to 12% increase in observed

belt rates and 9- to 10-percentage-point increases among

occupants killed in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Observed

seat belt use averages 88.2% in States with primary belt

enforcement laws and 79.1% in States with secondary

enforcement (NHTSA, 2009).

Since the year 2000, 14 States upgraded their seat belt laws

to primary enforcement status. This study documents the

roles, strategies, resources, and arguments States used

in their actions to pass primary belt laws. The 10 States

that upgraded their seat belt laws between 2004 and 2009

(Tennessee, South Carolina, Alaska, Mississippi, Kentucky,

Maine, Minnesota, Arkansas, Florida, and Wisconsin)

provided in-depth information about the successes

and challenges they encountered during the process. It

includes a literature review of the legislative history of

primary belt laws.

Researchers conducted more than 80 in-depth interviews

with a variety of people who played key roles in the process

of upgrading to primary enforcement. Each of the

10 case study States was unique in terms of the approach

they used to pass a primary belt law, but there were common

efforts and themes among them.

Advocates pointed out that it is important to understand

that passing a primary law is a multiyear effort involving

a broad network of organizations and individuals.

They need to identify and effectively respond to opposition

arguments specific to their State. One persuasive element

in many of the States was to make legislators aware

of the availability of Section 406 Safety Belt Performance

Grants, a portion of which could be used for highway and

infrastructure projects. Advocates often hired lobbyists to provide information to address concerns of legislators.

They also engaged the media to present a balanced view

of the issues and report public support. Presenting the bill

as a public health issue to save lives, reduce injuries, and

reduce State medical expenditures attracted diverse partners

and broadened the debate.

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NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Research