At a glance
Seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in motor vehicle crashes. View publications about seat belt use and transportation safety.
Featured article
Nighttime seat belt use among front seat passengers: Does the driver's belt use matter?
This study explores the relationship between nighttime seat belt use of right-front passengers and their drivers in east Tennessee during March 2015–May 2017. Overall, nighttime passenger seat belt use averaged 86%. However, it varied from 92% when the drivers were wearing a seat belt to 42% when drivers were not wearing a seat belt. These results suggest that drivers might heavily influence their passengers’ seat belt status.
Journal articles
2020
Shakya I, Shults RA, Stevens MR, Beck LF, Sleet DA. State-level seat belt use in the United States: Comparison of self-reported with observed use and use by fatally injured occupants. J Safety Res 2020;73:103-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2020.02.015
2019
Boakye KF, Shults RA, Everett JD. Nighttime seat belt use among front seat passengers: Does the driver's belt use matter? J Safety Res2019;70:13-17. DOI:10.1016/j.jsr.2019.04.004
Beck L, Kresnow M, Bergen G. Belief about seat belt use and seat belt wearing behavior among front and rear seat passengers in the United States. J Safety Res 2019;68:81-88. DOI: 10.1060/j.jsr.2018.12.007
2016
Shults RA, Haegerich TM. Bhat G. Teens and seatbelt use: what makes them click? J Safety Res 2016;57:19–25; DOI:10.1016/j.jsr.2016.03.003
2015
Bhat G, Beck L, Bergen G, Kresnow M. Predictors of rear seat belt use among US adults, 2012. J Safety Res 2015;53:103-106. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2015.03.011
2012
Strine TW, Beck L, Bolen J, Okoro C, Li C. Potential moderating role of seat belt law on the relationship between seat belt use and adverse health behavior. Am J Health Behav 2012;36:44-55. DOI: 10.5993/ajhb.36.1.5
2011
Ibrahimova I, Shults RA, Beck LF. Comparison of 2008 national and state-level self-reported and observed seatbelt use estimates. Inj Prev 2011;17:201-3. DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.028597
2010
Strine TW, Beck LF, Bolen J, Okoro C, Dhingra S, Balluz L. Geographic and sociodemographic variation in self-reported seat belt use in the United States. Acc Anal Prev 2010;42:1066-1071. DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2009.12.014
2001
Dinh-Zarr, TB, Sleet, DA, Shults, RA, Zaza, S, Elder, RW, Nichols, JL, et al. (2001). Reviews of evidence regarding interventions to increase the use of safety belts. Am J Prev Med, 2001;21(Suppl 4):48−65. DOI: 10.1016/s0749-3797(01)00378-6
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
Often called "the voice of CDC," the MMWR series is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. All material in the MMWR series is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without special permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.
Vital Signs: Motor Vehicle Injury Prevention — United States and 19 Comparison Countries
Vital Signs: Seat Belt Use Among Long-Haul Truck Drivers — United States, 2010