2016 Massachusetts Safety Belt Usage Observation Study

07/31/2016

 

UMassSafe recently released a research report indicating that Massachusetts seat belt use is rising and is actually at an all-time high at 78.2%, but there is still work to do because we are still lagging behind other states. In 2015 Massachusetts ranked 48th in the Country. The US average is 88.5%.

The recently completed statewide safety belt usage observation survey was conducted for the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS HSD).  Each year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collects information from states on their statewide usage rate.  UMassSafe has been conducting this survey for EOPSS HSD for more than 10 years.  UMass students, trained by UMassSafe staff, observe more than 27,000 drivers and passengers in more than 140 locations across the state after which staff conduct extensive statistical analysis examining overall usage rates as well as those by age, gender, race, roadway type, vehicle registration state, vehicle type, time of day and region of state.  Rates will be available soon.

More information can be viewed on the Channel 22WWLP story, October 11, 2016 at 5pm. http://wwlp.com/