Aug 8, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 3 min read

The latest statistics from the State Department of Transportation show that seat belt use across Pennsylvania is at an all-time high, with usage in a local four-county area exceeding the statewide figure. The results from PennDOT’s Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering June survey reflect more than a three-percent increase statewide. Officially, the statewide usage increased from 70.52 percent in 2001 to 73.79 percent this year. Locally, District 12, which includes Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, has an average of 82.69 percent, up from 78.18 percent last year.

Jay Ofsanik, safety press officer for PennDOT, confirmed that the rate is an all-time high. He attributed the increase to various public relations programs, including “Buckle Up PA” in May, which utilized fire, police and EMS personnel to push seatbelt use. Ofsanik said radio and television advertisements may have played a role as well.

The survey was taken in June following the campaign to increase driver awareness of the need to always buckle up. Ofsanik said statistics show that 45 percent of fatal accidents could be avoided if the drivers would have simply taken the time to buckle up. “Seatbelts save lives,” he said.

Statistics from 2000 revealed that 53.4 percent of individuals involved in fatal crashes were not wearing seatbelts; 29.8 percent were belted and the seatbelt usage for 16.9 percent was unknown. Ofsanik said a seatbelt is the first line of defense against other drivers. He said many times people do not buckle up because they are either going a short distance or not traveling very fast. However, he noted that three out of four accidents occurred within 25 miles of home.

Ofsanik said even if a driver is only traveling 35 mph, if the individual is hit head-on by another driver traveling 35 mph, the impact equals 70 mph. He said many times people will buckle up when traveling on four-lane highways but that isn’t enough. Ofsanik said it should become a habit with everyone putting on their seatbelts any time they get in a vehicle.

Ofsanik said because of the increase usage, PennDOT will receive additional incentive funding for safety programs.

“The seat belt usage results are very encouraging. Safety is everyone’s responsibility,” said PennDOT district engineer Mike Dufalla. “We at PennDOT maintain the highway infrastructure and educate the motoring public, however, individual drivers must do their part and drive safely and buckle up.”

Of the four counties in District 12, Fayette County has the lowest seatbelt use percentage. However, the figure is still higher than the statewide average. The breakdown of seatbelt usage in District 12 this year compared with last year is as follows: Fayette County, 75.55 percent in 2002, 71.69 percent in 2001; Greene County, 82.19 percent in 2002, 80.41 percent in 2001; Washington County, 88.46 percent in 2002, 80.03 percent in 2001; Westmoreland County, 84.55 percent in 2002, 80.59 percent in 2001.

To determine how many people are wearing seatbelts, PennDOT said survey takers stand along a roadway and visually determine how many front seat passengers in 100 vehicles are wearing their seatbelts. Only passenger vehicles with a three-point occupant restraint are counted.