Statement for Attribution to Kathryn Swanson, Chair of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

Today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation indicating record nationwide seat belt use is indeed very good news. Vehicle occupant protection has been a top priority for State Highway Safety Offices so we are particularly heartened to see that the effort is succeeding.

An 80 percent national seat belt use rate-the highest in the country’s history- is a great accomplishment, but more work needs to be done. States will continue to conduct high-visibility enforcement campaigns to remind the public to buckle up. Those who do not obey the law will be ticketed. There are no excuses, and no exceptions.

GHSA continues to urge every state to enact a primary seat belt law-a proven action that will increase belt use and save lives as well as public health costs.  Congress can help states pass these laws by providing large incentive grants to states to reward those that pass a primary seat belt law or who achieve significant seat belt use. Congress should also alter the federal lobbying regulations that restrict State Highway Safety Offices from advocating on behalf of safety legislation. Currently, even if a governor supports passage of a primary bill, that governor’s highway safety office cannot actively support passage of the bill.

GHSA is committed to working with our federal and local partners to increase seat belt use and to reduce needless deaths on our nation’s roadways. The Association’s Annual Meeting occurs later this month with a focus on how the nation can achieve an ambitious reduction in highway fatalities by 2008. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation's data showing 40 states achieving higher seat belt use rates in 2003 than the year before is truly welcome news. Increasing seat belt use has been a top priority for State Highway Safety Offices. They are particularly heartened to see that the effort is succeeding.

A 79 percent national seat belt use rate-the highest in the nation's history- is a great accomplishment, but more work needs to be done. States will continue to conduct high-visibility enforcement campaigns to remind the public to buckle up. Those that do not obey the law will be ticketed. There are no excuses, and no exceptions.

GHSA continues to urge every state to pass a primary seat belt law-a proven action that will increase belt use and save lives as well as public health costs. Congress can help states pass these laws by providing large incentives grants to states to reward passage of a primary seat belt bill. Congress should also alter the lobbying regulations that restrict State Highway Safety Offices from advocating safety legislation. Currently, even if a governor supports passage of a primary bill, that governor's highway safety office cannot actively support passage of the bill.

Today's announcement is a good reminder for drivers to make wise choices behind the wheel, especially with the deadly holiday driving season quickly approaching. Too many of our friends and neighbors will not be around the Thanksgiving dinner table because of roadway crashes. Increasing seat belt use means that these preventable tragedies will be less frequent.