The following Research Notes are now available on the NCSA website:

• "Safety Belt Use in 2005 – Demographic Results" (DOT-HS 809-969)
  

In 2005, safety belt use in the United States rose among males from 77 percent in 2004 to 80 percent in 2005. This result is from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), which provides the only probability-based observed data on safety belt use in the U.S.

The 2005 Survey also found the following:

Safety belt use continues to be higher in the front seat that in the rear seat, with 82 percent of front-seat occupants observed belted in the 2005 survey, compared to 68 percent of rear-seat occupants.

Safety belt use in the rear seat is higher in States whose laws require it. In 2005, 76 percent of rear-seat motorists in States requiring rear seat belt use were belted, compared to 64 percent overall.

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/RNotes/2005/809969.pdf

• "Safety Belt Use in 2005 -- Use Rates in the States and Territories" (DOT-HS 809-970)
  

In 2005, safety belt use in the United States ranged from 60.8 percent use in Mississippi to 95.3 percent in Hawaii. These results are from probability-based observational surveys conducted by 50 States and US territories in accordance with criteria established by NHTSA to ensure reliable results. Compliance with the criteria is verified annually by NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis.

The 2005 surveys also found the following:

Nine States and Territories achieved use rates of 90 percent or higher, namely Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Michigan, California, Puerto Rico, and Maryland.

Nevada, Texas, and West Virginia exhibited the greatest improvement, each reducing belt nonuse by 30 percent or more during 2004 – 2005.

Use rates in jurisdictions with stronger belt enforcement laws continue to exhibit generally higher use rates than those with weaker laws. South Carolina strengthened its belt law to a “primary” enforcement law, effective December 2005. This State saw a jump in use from 65.7 percent in 2004 to 69.7 percent in 2005. Because the 2005 survey was conducted before the primary law took effect, greater gains may be realized in 2006.

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/RNotes/2005/809970.pdf