Ninety-three percent of the occupants of motor vehicles in Washington State use seat belts (data based on 2002 observation samples; 2003 results are expected to be slightly higher). Half of the fatalities to motor vehicle occupants (48 percent in 2002 to be precise) are people who were among the seven percent of non-seat belt users. (See also: Collision Factor: Not Using Seat Belts.) Washington State’s strong policies in favor of seat belt use for every driver and passenger, required by law, is clearly a strategy for reducing highways deaths and injuries that has proven to be of great value. If the fatality rate for the seven percent not using seat belts (approximately six fatalities per 100 million VMT) could be reduced to the fatality rate for those who use seat belts, approximately 290 lives per year could be expected to be saved from the annual death toll.
Decreasing Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates
Compared to Increasing Seat Belt Use
Per 100 Million VMT: 1986 - 2002
*In 1993 the calculation formula for vehicle occupant fatality rate of non-seat belt users changed. Motorcycle fatalities were removed from total occupant fatalities. Data prior to 1993 is not available and would be incompatible.
Note: In mid-year 2002 the new mandatory seat belt law went into effect.
Sources: Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and
WSDOT Transportation Data Office.
Source Data: Decreasing Fatality Rates compared to Increasing Seat Belt Use
See also: Collision Factor: Not Using Seat Belts