Commercial Truck Drivers in Western US are the Safest

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a study showing seventy-nine percent of commercial truck drivers in the Western US were using their safety belts in 2009. This region has the highest percentage of safety belt usage in the US. The lowest rated region in the US was the Northeast with only sixty-four percent.

Commercial Safety Belt usage by region:

• Northeast 64%
• Midwest 68%
• South 75%
• West 79%

Overall, commercial truck drivers increased safety belt usage from sixty-five percent in 2007 to seventy-four percent in 2009.

A recent article published in the Commercial Carrier Journal quoted U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who stated, “Safety belts save lives. We applaud those who are buckling up, but we won’t rest until every commercial driver is using a safety belt.”

One other interesting finding is that commercial safety belt usage is higher in states where not wearing a safety belt is considered a primary offense. This deterrent appears to be one of the most effective methods to increase safety belt usage.

Read the executive summary for the Seat Belt Usage by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers 2009 Survey.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal: 3/22/10