Californians Among Those in U.S. Most Likely to Buckle Up

By Kelly Balamuth on January 24, 2011

California is one of three states in the country with the highest rate of seat belt use, according to The Los Angeles Times. The other two high-ranking states are Washington and Oregon. The three states with the lowest rate of seat belt use are New Hampshire, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

A recent phone survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that 93.2 percent of Californians reported using seat belts. California’s laws on seat belt use are very stringent – police officers are allowed to pull over a vehicle if they see an occupant not wearing a seat belt. California implemented this law in 1993.

In addition to maintaining the strict seat belt enforcement laws, California also has permanent highway signs every 40 miles through the entire state reminding people that “Click it or ticket.” Even so, between 300 and 400 people died on roads in the United States who may have lived if they had been wearing seatbelts. Studies have shown that the use of seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injuries from automobile crashes by about 45 percent.

The phone survey also showed that teenagers and younger drivers were less likely to buckle up. Younger drivers, those between the ages of 16 and 24, also have the highest rates of injuries and fatalities from auto accidents, according to the CDC.

Have you been injured in an automobile accident in California? You have legal rights against any negligent driver who caused an accident. Contact the Orinda car accident attorneys at Balamuth Harrington by calling 888-254-1234 to learn more.