Less than half of nation's truckers wearing seat belts

Dec 9, 2003 12:00 PM

A new study indicates that less than half of the nation's 11 million truck drivers wear seat belts. In addition, of the 588 truck drivers killed in crashes in 2002, more than half were not wearing safety belts, according to information from the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The statistics revealed that 48 percent of the drivers do not wear seat belts, and of the 171 drivers who were ejected from their trucks in 2002 accidents, almost 80 percent of them were not wearing safety belts.

The data was released December 9 as part of a new national public-private partnership to combat low safety belt use among truck drivers. The new partnership will involve DOT, drivers, trucking companies, trucking associations, and law enforcement--and will focus on educating truck drivers about the critical importance of wearing a safety belt. Partners will provide safety belt messages to 1,200 truck stops throughout the nation, produce and distribute printed educational material at association events and roadside inspection facilities, and sponsor additional research, as needed.

Associations participating include the American Trucking Associations, the Motor Freight Carriers Association, the National Private Truck Council, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.