TIME TO TIGHTEN THE SAFETY BELT

A good law, enforcement of the law, and public information and education are key to getting motorists to buckle their safety belts. This article explains the difference between primary and secondary safety belt laws. Primary enforcement laws allow police officers to stop and ticket drivers solely because they are not wearing safety belts. Secondary enforcement laws only allow officers to inspect for safety belt use if the driver has been stopped for another traffic violation. States with primary enforcement laws are realizing significant increases in safety belt usage. Enforcing safety belt laws lets the public know that the state is serious about use. A sidebar describes Canada's National Occupant Restraint Program, which can boast a national safety belt usage rate of 92 percent.