Seat belt use up in North Dakota, still below national average

Last year, North Dakota’s seat belt use rate was 57.9 percent. This year, the state use rate is 63.4 percent. The survey was conducted in 16 counties by DLN Consulting Inc. of Dickinson. Observers looked for drivers and passengers wearing shoulder harnesses in automobiles, vans, pickups and sport utility vehicles. The survey was conducted on state, federal, and Interstate highways.

"A five percentage point rise in seat belt use is encouraging," said Marsha Lembke, Director of the NDDOT Drivers License and Traffic Safety Division. "There is still a large percentage of people not buckling up, evident by the number of people who have died in crashes this year." So far, 81 people have been killed on North Dakota roadways in 2002. According to Lembke, three out of four of those killed were not wearing seat belts. "It’s a fact: using a seat belt will greatly enhance your chances of surviving a crash, along with obeying speed limits, being aware of driving conditions, and driving sober," said Lembke. She attributes the five percentage point increase to the many partnerships NDDOT has developed, including: state and local law enforcement agencies; Safe Communities programs; North Dakota Department of Health; North Dakota Safety Council; and the strong public information efforts. Lembke also says the increase would not be possible without citizens taking personal repsonsibility for their own safety by buckling up.