Use of Safety Belts: Laws Mandating Use

Task Force Finding*

Safety belt laws require the use of safety belts by motor vehicle occupants. Specific requirements (e.g., age, seating position, fines, exceptions) vary by state.

Safety belt laws are strongly recommended based on their effectiveness in increasing safety belt use and reducing fatal and nonfatal injuries among adolescents and adults. Several studies indicated the additional benefit that laws requiring adult safety belt use also increase safety belt use by children. A potential harm of safety belt laws can be found in the theory that safety belt use will lead to other unsafe driving behaviors, thus neutralizing any beneficial effect that their use might confer. No studies reviewed, however, have shown an association between safety belt laws and increases in unsafe driving behaviors. No qualifying economic information was identified from the literature.

*From the following publication:

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations to reduce injuries to motor vehicle occupants: increasing child safety seat use, increasing safety belt use, and reducing alcohol-impaired driving. [PDF - 78KB] Am J Prev Med 2001;21(4S):16-22.

Review completed: October 2000