From Local 3 News: On Thursday, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) released the results of an annual survey that is used to determine the rate of seat belt use in the state.
The results from the roadside observational survey for 2024 show a rise in seat belt use of about 0.2 percent when compared to Tennessee’s 2023 result of 92.0 percent.
The rate of usage has gone up for two years in row and 2024’s results are the highest rate to date.
“For the second year in a row, Tennessee achieved its highest seat belt usage rate on record,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “We appreciate all of our traffic safety partners for prioritizing occupant protection, spreading awareness, and engaging local communities. We look forward to continuing these partnerships as we work to reduce serious injuries and traffic fatalities.”
According to the THSO, here are highlights from the 2024 survey:
The annual roadside observational survey was done by the University of Tennessee’s Center for Transportation Research in accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use.
The results from the roadside observational survey for 2024 show a rise in seat belt use of about 0.2 percent when compared to Tennessee’s 2023 result of 92.0 percent.
The rate of usage has gone up for two years in row and 2024’s results are the highest rate to date.
“For the second year in a row, Tennessee achieved its highest seat belt usage rate on record,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “We appreciate all of our traffic safety partners for prioritizing occupant protection, spreading awareness, and engaging local communities. We look forward to continuing these partnerships as we work to reduce serious injuries and traffic fatalities.”
According to the THSO, here are highlights from the 2024 survey:
- Research data was collected at 190 pre-identified roadway locations across Tennessee.
- Researchers observed almost 29,000 vehicle occupants.
- Vehicles observed included passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs.
- The highest usage rate was observed among occupants in sport utility vehicles (96.3 percent).
- The lowest usage rate was observed among occupants in pickup trucks (84.6 percent).
- Female occupants were observed to have a higher usage rate (96.2 percent) than males (89.2 percent).
- Front-seat passengers were observed to have a higher usage rate (92.3 percent) than drivers (92.1 percent).
- County-level usage rates exceeded 90 percent in 14 of 16 counties included in the survey’s sample.
- McMinn County had the highest usage rate (97 percent) among sampled counties.
- The 2024 survey captured Tennessee's all-time high average seat belt usage rate for the second year in a row.
The annual roadside observational survey was done by the University of Tennessee’s Center for Transportation Research in accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use.
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