Idaho?s Seat Belt Use Declines

Idaho?s seat belt use is on the decline following loss of grant funding to sustain the program. Idaho?s seat belt use fell from nearly 80 percent in 2006, to 78.5 percent in 2007. Seat belt use by occupants declined in all types of vehicles; passenger cars, SUV?s/vans, and pick up trucks. What is more revealing of Idaho?s seat belt use problem is that only 39 percent of occupants killed in traffic crashes in 2006 were wearing their seat belts.

The Idaho Transportation Department and the state's public health districts conducted Idaho's official seat belt usage survey in June in conjunction with a national seat belt education and enforcement campaign. Usage rates across the state varied and are reported below by region of the state:

• North Idaho, including Coeur d'Alene, increased slightly to 87 percent use.
• North-central Idaho, including Lewiston, decreased slightly from 83 percent to 82 percent.
• The highest usage rate was recorded in southwest Idaho, including Boise and surrounding communities, at 87 percent, down from 89 percent last year.
• South-central Idaho, including Twin Falls, showed a slight increase from 67 percent to 69 percent.
• The lowest usage was found in southeast Idaho, including Pocatello, at 62 percent, a slight decline from 63 percent last year.
• Eastern Idaho, including Idaho Falls, reflected the greatest decrease down from 66 percent last year to 60 percent this year.

According to NHTSA, of all the safety features added to vehicles since 1960, one - the safety belt - accounts for more than half of all lives saved. Buckling up remains the single best defense against death or injury in the event of a crash.