The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said Friday that 74% of commercial truck and bus drivers are now using their safety belts, up from 65% in 2007.
Almost 21,000 commercial drivers operating medium- to heavy-duty trucks and buses were observed at 827 roadside sites nationwide for the survey, FMCSA said.
Drivers for regional or national fleets showed higher safety belt use, at 78%, versus 64% for independent owner-operators.
The data showed that seat-belt use for both commercial drivers and their occupants was higher. at 78%, in states where law enforcement may stop drivers for not wearing a safety belt, versus 67% in states with weaker belt use laws.
“Safety belts save lives,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “We applaud those who are buckling up, but we won’t rest until every commercial driver is using a safety belt.”
“Driving a 40-ton truck or a bus full of people is a big responsibility,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro. “Drivers owe it to themselves and others to wear a safety belt every time they get behind the wheel.”
The executive summary for the survey can be found at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetybelt
