d
Source: NCSA

As shown in Figure 1, pickup truck safety belt use is lower for all States: among drivers - 61 percent for pickup trucks versus 75 percent for passenger cars; for passengers- 55 percent for pickup trucks versus 61 percent for passenger vehicles. The differences in safety belt use rates for both passengers and drivers in pickup trucks in primary versus secondary law States is even more significant: belt use by pickup truck drivers in secondary law States is 48 percent versus 69 percent for pickup truck drivers in primary law States; belt use by passengers in pickup trucks in secondary law States is 42 percent versus 64 percent for passengers in pickup trucks in primary law States. These lower safety belt use rates in secondary law States are consistent with the finding of lower safety belt use rates in secondary law States for both drivers and passengers of passenger vehicles (NOPUS 2000).

Data Update: Safety belt usage increased in both primary law States and secondary law States. However, consistent with findings shown in Table 2, safety belt use by drivers and passengers of pickup trucks in both primary law States and secondary law States remains lower than that for other vehicle types. NOPUS 2003 data reflect the safety belt use rate by pickup trucks drivers in primary law States is 74 percent versus 63 percent in secondary law States.

Table 2 Safety Belt Use in 2003 In Primary and Secondary Law States By Vehicle Type
Primary Enforcement Law States Passenger Cars Vans and SUVs Pickup Trucks	83% 84% 86% 73%
Secondary Enforcement Law States Passenger Cars Vans and SUVs Pickup Trucks	75% 78% 78% 63%

Source: NCSA

Figure 2. Shoulder Belt Use For Pickup Trucks, SUVs and Passenger Vehicles, NOPUS 2002: Percent Estimates

Source: NCSA

Data Update: NOPUS 2003 data reflect a similar trend: pickup truck drivers in primary law States is 74 percent versus 63 percent secondary law States, and 73 percent for pickup truck passengers in primary law States versus 60 percent in secondary law States.

Figure 3 shows regional safety belt use rates for both pickup truck and passenger car occupants for 2000. In all regions of the nation, occupants of pickup trucks have lower safety belt use rates when compared to occupants of passenger cars. The Northeast has the lowest regional safety belt use rate for pickup truck occupants; the West has the highest regional safety belt use rate for pickup truck occupants.

Figure 3. Shoulder Belt Use by Person Type and Regions Pickup Trucks and Passenger Vehicles - Fall NOPUS 2000: Percent Estimates

Source: NCSA

Data Update: For 2003:

		All Occupants	Drivers	Passengers
Northeast:	Pickup Trucks Passenger Cars	56% 75%	56% 76%	58% 70%
Midwest:	Pickup Trucks Passenger Cars	65% 76%	65% 77%	65% 75%
South:	Pickup Trucks Passenger Cars	68% 84%	68% 85%	65% 80%
West:	Pickup Trucks Passenger Cars	76% 86%	77% 88%	73% 81%

Source: Technical Report - "Safety Belt Use in 2003 (September 2003), National Center for Statistics and Analysis, DOT HS 809 646.

Figure 4 shows that suburban and rural pickup truck occupants are less likely to use shoulder belts than are pickup truck occupants in urban areas.

Figure 4. Shoulder Belt Use by Person Type and Urbanization Pickup Trucks and Passenger Vehicles, NOPUS 2000: Percent Estimates

Data Update: The demographic characteristics noted in 2002 reflect the following changes:

All Occupants:	Urban	Suburban	Rural
Pickup Trucks	69%	69%	54%
Passenger Cars	72%	78%	79%

Source: Safety Belt Use in 2002- Demographic Characteristics, March 2003, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, DOT HS 809 557.