The latest Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration survey shows 78 percent of commercial bus and truck drivers wore safety belts while operating behind the wheel last year, compared to 74 percent in 2009. The poll observed 26,830 commercial drivers at 998 nationwide roadside sites.
The FMCSA survey revealed that wearing safety belts has increased by 14 percent since 2007. The survey broke down seat belt use in regions of the U.S. At 82 percent, drivers in the West buckled up more; drivers in the South were at 79 percent; 73 percent in the Midwest and 69 percent in the Northeast. The survey found the percentage of seat belt was higher in states where law enforcement can stop drivers for not wearing safety belts, versus 72 percent in states with weaker belt use laws. For more, visit www.fmcsa.dot.