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May 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Safety belt use among commercial motor vehicle drivers increased significantly in 2007, according to a survey. The increase shows the effectiveness of safety initiatives by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), the American Trucking Associations (ATA), and other groups.

The DOT survey results show overall safety belt use climbed to 65 percent among drivers of medium-duty, Class 7 and Class 8 trucks. Safety belt use was observed at a higher rate (69 percent) in states with primary seat belt laws than states with secondary belt use laws (59 percent). Additionally, drivers of units identified as parts of fleets were more likely (67 percent) to regularly wear safety belts than independent owner-operators (56 percent).

Previous safety belt usage surveys conducted by the DOT also demonstrate the effectiveness of industry safety initiatives. In 2003, the survey found that only 48 percent of truck drivers wore safety belts, compared with 59 percent by 2006.

ATA's safety initiative includes calling for primary seat belt laws in all 50 states. In states with a primary seat belt law, police can stop a driver for failing to wear a seat belt and issue a ticket. With a secondary law, police can ticket a driver for failing to wear a seat belt only if the officer first stops the driver for a different infraction.

Additionally, ATA is a member of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Belt Partnership, which advocates that all commercial drivers buckle up before driving. Since 2003 when the partnership was formed, ATA has been actively promoting the “Be Ready. Be Buckled.” education and outreach campaign to the trucking industry.