States with Weak Seat Belt Laws Face Higher Rural Traffic Deaths
According to the researchers, while only 21% of Americans live in rural areas, 57% of all highway deaths occur on rural highways. In fact, among the 10 states with the highest rural highway fatalities, none have primary seat belt laws -- laws which authorize a police officer to stop a driver primarily because he or she was not wearing a seat belt. In states with only secondary seat belt laws, a traffic stop must be made primarily for another reason (such as speeding), and then a citation for failure to wear a seat belt may be issued subsequently. Historically, states that have enacted primary seat belt laws have increased their seat belt usage rates by an average of 14%.
Experts attribute high rates of rural crash fatalities to several factors, such as the likelihood that roads with pleasant scenery and light traffic may instill in drivers a false sense of security. Additionally, emergency vehicle response times can be significantly longer in rural areas, adversely impacting the survival rates of rural crash victims. The researchers note that crash victims are 5 to 7 times more likely to die from their injuries if they do not arrive in a trauma center within the first 30 minutes of sustaining injuries in a motor vehicle accident.
Previously on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:
- A Virginia health initiative called "Partners for Safe Teen Driving"
- A study demonstrating that elderly drivers are not the most dangerous
- Driving tips for the holidays
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