September 30, 2004

East Lansing.The Michigan State Police is pleased to announce Michigan is now the fifth state in the nation and the first state east of California to achieve a 90 percent or greater safety belt use rate.

According to a direct observation survey conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) during the most recent safety belt enforcement mobilization, safety belt use in Michigan stands at 90.5 percent.

At this rate, Michigan now boasts the fifth highest belt usage in the country, behind California, Hawaii, Washington and Oregon.

Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, director of the Michigan State Police, praised the efforts of Michigan’s law enforcement officers and traffic safety supporters for reaching this milestone. He said, "Thanks to the state’s primary safety belt law and the thousands of dedicated law enforcement officers at police departments across the state, Michigan has reached a level of safety once thought to be unobtainable."

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm applauded the increased rate of compliance. "For every 1 percent increase in safety belt use, 10 traffic deaths and 130 serious injuries will be prevented annually," Granholm said. "When Michigan residents wear seat belts they are ensuring their own health and safety."

Before the summer travel season, safety belt use was at approximately 84 percent. It has been climbing steadily throughout the summer from nearly 87 percent at the end of May to 88.3 percent at the beginning of August.

Traffic safety officials credit expanded safety belt enforcement zones and intensive, widespread publicity efforts for the state’s continued increase.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), belt use is also on the rise across the country, with a record 80 percent of Americans buckling up in 2004.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Anne Readett, Office of Highway Safety Planning, (517) 333-5317

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.