Georgia Injury Law Blog
Across the country, approximately 86% of all motorists buckled up before driving in 2012.That was a record high for seat belt usage in the U.S., and marks a significant improvement over the past decades.
The data came from a new study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which found that national seat belt usage rates are at an all-time high of 86%.The National Occupant Protection Use Survey finds that the use of seat belts here has increased steadily since 1994.That has coincided with the fact that many states across the country, including Georgia, have enacted stricter seatbelt laws that require all motorists to buckle up.
In many states like Georgia, seat belt laws are primary enforcement laws, which means that a police officer who sees a motorist driving without wearing a seatbelt, can simply pull him over, without finding any other infraction.Primary enforcement laws are much more stringent, because they lead to stronger enforcement of the laws.Not surprisingly, the study found that states like Georgia that have primary enforcement laws have much higher seatbelt usage rates compared to states that have secondary enforcement laws.
In Georgia, motorists above the age of 18 are required to wear a seatbelt while driving, or riding in the front seat.Failure to wear seatbelts can result in a penalty of $15.However, Georgia does not require all occupants of a passenger vehicle to wear seatbelts.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is very encouraged at the growing use of seat belts across the country, and believes that the results of the survey are especially encouraging during the holidays, when more motorists are expected to drive across the country.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and local agencies in Georgia have been very proactive in promoting seatbelt usage.For instance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration partners with local agencies in Georgia to conduct the Click It or Ticket campaign every year.The campaign is typically conducted during holiday seasons, and is aimed at enforcing seatbelt laws, and encouraging motorists to buckle up while driving.
Wearing a seat belt takes just a few seconds of your time, but could actually save your life in an accident.Seatbelts are some of the most basic as well as some of the most effective safety features.
Please Buckle Up!