Seat belt use prevents deaths and injuries and saves money. We know from experience and scientific studies that upgrading to standard enforcement increases seat belt use by an estimated 15 percentage points almost immediately.

Elected officials should be confident that their support for standard seat belt use laws will be well regarded by the general public. A national survey conducted by Public Opinion Strategies found that:

By a margin of three to two, voters are more likely to support an elected official who endorses standard seat belt enforcement; There is little or no difference between political parties in support for stronger seat belt use laws and enforcement; and Voter satisfaction with seat belt laws is highest where standard seat belt use laws are enforced.

  Safety Benefits are Immediate

NHTSA estimates that if every state upgraded to standard enforcement, 2,064 lives would be saved, 49,400 injuries would be prevented, and $3.4 billion in economic savings would be realized annually.

  Where Do We Go From Here?

The next step is to seize the momentum created by the Buckle Up America campaign and support upgrading your state’s seat belt law to standard enforcement. Compare your state’s law to the model law included in this manual and see if there are other enhancements (such as closing gaps in the child restraint law) that will save even more lives in your state.

Support is strong, the evidence is overwhelming and the time is now to enact standard enforcement seat belt use laws.