Latest Seat belt legislation Stories

WASHINGTON, July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is a statement of Judith Lee Stone, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), www.saferoads.org, on today's release of the Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Data for 2008 by the U.S. Department of Transportation:  "The release of 2008 fatality data today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates a significant drop in motor vehicle crash deaths over the same time period...

New Text Message Bans Also Taking Effect WASHINGTON, June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) congratulates the State of Wisconsin for its passage of a primary seat belt law. This law gives police the authority to pull over a driver solely for not wearing a seat belt. Wisconsin becomes the 30th state to enact this lifesaving law. Based on other states' experiences, Wisconsin can expect its seat belt usage rate to increase 8-12 percentage points and...

Online map identifies rural areas with most driving fatalities in time for July 4th travel MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn., June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rural transportation safety experts at the University of Minnesota today launched a new national service to help drivers identify the most dangerous portions of upcoming trips as drivers hit the nation's roads for the Fourth of July holiday, which is considered the most dangerous travel day of the year. SafeRoadMaps.org is a service...

ARLINGTON, Va., June 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced that safety belt use by drivers of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles increased to 72 percent in 2008. That figure is up 7 percentage points from 65 percent the previous year. "We must continue to educate all motorists about the importance of buckling up," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. As part of a progressive 18-point safety agenda, ATA is working...

ITASCA, Ill., June 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After years of advocacy by key legislators and the Minnesota Seat Belt Coalition, Minnesota today becomes the nation's 29th state with a primary seat belt law. Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the Kathryn Swanson Seat Belt Safety Act, enabling police to ticket drivers solely for failure to wear seat belts. The act, which becomes law today, is named in honor of the former director of the Minnesota highway safety office, a primary seat belt law...

Legislation honors former GHSA Chairman Kathy Swanson WASHINGTON, May 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Vernon F. Betkey, Jr., Chairman of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA): Yesterday, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the Kathryn Swanson Seat Belt Safety Act -- named in honor of the former director of the Minnesota highway safety office who died in 2008 after a battle with ALS. Kathy also served as the Chairman of GHSA in 2003 and 2004....

Cost of Seatbelt Ticket Rises to $132 SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Keep you and your family safe and $132 in your wallet by making sure everyone wears their seat belt for every trip. That's the message that over 90 local police departments and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are telling motorists as part of the 2009 Memorial Day Next Generation Click It or Ticket mobilization, May 18-31. The start-of-summer campaign is supported by $3 million in traffic safety grants...

Pennsylvania Will Participate in National Click It or Ticket Crackdown HARRISBURG, Pa., May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed May 18 as Buckle Up Pennsylvania Day, urging all motorists to wear their seat belt every time they are riding in a vehicle. "I am glad to say that 85 percent of drivers in Pennsylvania are making the responsible decision to follow the law and wear their seat belt," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "To anyone who...

Gov. Crist's and State Lawmakers' Leadership Will Make Florida's Roads Safer WASHINGTON, May 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's signature establishing Florida's new primary safety belt law today will not only save lives and prevent injuries, but also will entitle the state to $35.5 million from a soon-to-expire federal incentive plan that rewards states for increasing safety belt use. Florida's 18 million residents now covered by a primary safety belt law bring the...

ITASCA, Ill., April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After years of work by traffic safety advocates, Florida is joining the majority of states that allow police to ticket drivers solely for failure to wear seat belts. The National Safety Council praises Florida legislators for voting to enact the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law, named for two young women killed in crashes while not wearing seat belts. The Florida House today voted to accept the proposal, 95-20. The Florida...