Report: Seat Belt Use at All-Time High

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announced results from a recent USC survey, stating South Carolina motorists set a record-breaking 91.7 percent safety belt usage rate, making 2013 the second consecutive year that the rate of usage was above 90 percent.

The survey was based on traffic counts conducted in 16 counties, and focused on drivers and passengers who used shoulder-style safety belts in June 2013. South Carolina's 91.7 safety belt usage is well above the current national rate of 86 percent.

Last year the rate for SC was 90.5, the first time it rose above 90 percent. Officials at the SCDPS attribute the record usage rate to continuing enforcement and education efforts.

"This record-setting rate will result in more lives being saved on our highways," said Leroy Smither, Director of SCDPS. "The 91.7 percent usage rate shows just how much the hard work of the state's law enforcement community and public safety advocates have paid off."

The SCDPS says a major goal of its Target Zero initiative is raising the safety belt usage rate every year. "SCDPS is pleased with the results of this year's survey, but we recognize too many people still are not complying with the law," Smith said. "Crash statistics show that many of these people also are drunk drivers, speeders – or reckless in other ways. We also know wearing a safety belt is the best defense against reckless drivers."

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