Wisconsin's dedication to seat belt safety has hit a new high, as WisDOT and the Division of Wisconsin State Patrol marked National Seat Belt Day with a milestone announcement. The latest observational survey saw a record 94% of drivers in the Badger State strapping in, according to findings reported on the WisDOT website. This achievement is the result of a consistent push in safety education and enforcement over several decades.
Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan emphasized the importance of wearing seat belts, saying, "Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest things a vehicle occupant can do to protect themselves on the road." He noted that 6% of drivers have not yet made seat belt use a habit and added, "We’ll continue to do our part to educate drivers about the importance of buckling up, but we hope drivers will do their part and make it click," in a statement to WisDOT. Last year’s crashes involving unbelted motorists resulted in 176 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries.
According to the WisDOT, Wisconsin was the first state to require seat belts in the front seats of new cars in 1961. Subsequent laws included a 1987 requirement for belt use and a 2009 upgrade to "primary enforcement," allowing police to stop and cite drivers for not wearing seat belts. Public campaigns such as Click It or Ticket and Buckle Up Phone Down have accompanied these laws to promote seat belt use.
Observers trained by WisDOT conduct biannual surveys at 160 sites across Wisconsin, using a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-approved methodology to monitor seat belt usage rates. Over the past two decades, those rates have increased.
National Seat Belt Day, proclaimed in 2019 by the Governor's Highway Safety Association, is observed annually on November 14. The day serves as a nationwide reminder for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. Wisconsin participates in the observance to promote seat belt use and highlight ongoing efforts in motorist safety.
