Indicator Profile of Seat Belts: Safety Restraint Use
Why Is This Important?
Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are one of the leading causes of injury death and hospitalization in Utah. Seat belts are the single most effective safety device for preventing serious injuries and reducing fatalities in MVCs, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).NHTSA has found that deaths and serious injuries caused by MVCs could be reduced by approximately 50% with proper and consistent use of safety belts. NHTSA also found that the average inpatient cost for crash victims who were not wearing safety belts was 55% higher than for those who were restrained.
In Utah, unbelted crash occupants were 20 times more likely to die in a crash than crash occupants wearing seat belts.(1) Ejection from the vehicle is one of the most injurious events that can happen to a person in a crash. Safety belts are effective in preventing total ejections.
Likelihood of Injury and Death: Risks for Belted and Unbelted Occupants in a Motor Vehicle Crash, Utah, 2006
Data Notes
In 2006, nearly half (46.3%) of vehicle occupants killed in crashes were unbelted. Utah MVC victims who wore seat belts were nearly 20 times more likely to survive a crash than those who did not wear a seat belt. Survivors who wore seat belts had a greater than 82% chance of escaping without injury and a 17.3% chance of surviving with injuries. Data come from the 2006 Utah Crash Summary, State of Utah Department of Public Safety.Data Sources
Utah Crash Summary, Department of Public Safety, Highway Safety Office;Other Views
- Six Large-Population and Ten Small-Population Counties, Utah, 2008
- Child Safety Restraint Use by Age Group and County, Six Utah Counties, 2003, 2006, and 2008
- Use by Sex and County, Six Utah Counties, 2002, 2006, and 2008
- Adult and Front Seat Passenger, Utah, 1986-2008
- Percentage of Students Who Never or Rarely Wore a Seat Belt, Utah and U.S., 1991-2007
Definition
Percentage of drivers and front seat passengers observed using safety restraints in Utah as part of the National Occupant Protection Use Survey conducted by the Utah Highway Safety Office. The survey uses data collected by UHP troopers at intersections, highway ramps, and parking lots.How We Calculated the Rates
| Numerator: | Number of persons observed using restraints. |
| Denominator: | Number of persons observed. |
Page Content Updated On 12/31/08,
Published on 01/05/09
