Seat Belt Use Among Rural & Urban Pickup Truck Drivers

Abstract

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic crashes are a leading cause of death among Americans ages four through 34. Many traffic fatalities are the result of a lack of or improper seat belt use. In Missouri, nearly 70 percent of those who die in traffic crashes are not wearing their seat belt. Seat belts, when properly used, are among the most important safety devices in a vehicle and can dramatically increase a driver or passenger's odds of surviving a crash. This report examines Missouri driver attitudes toward seat belt use, particularly focusing on male and female drivers in rural and urban settings, as well as pickup truck drivers vs. non-pickup drivers.