Truckers’ Seat Belt Usage Hits Record 65%, DOT Says

The number of professional truck drivers using safety belts jumped dramatically last year to a record 65%, the Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced the findings Tuesday during a national conference of state commercial vehicle law enforcement officers.

A 2003 survey found that 48% of truck drivers used seat belts, while currently, about 82% of passenger-car drivers wear seat belts, DOT said.

In 2006, the trucker figure improved to 59%. Tuesday’s results were the findings of the largest and most comprehensive study ever conducted, the department said.