Figure 51
Accidents Close To Home Are Less Serious By Frequency Of Driver Safety Belt Use
Qx: When driving this (car/truck/van) how often do you wear your (shoulder/lap) belt?
Qx: Now I’m going to read you a few statements. Please tell me whether your strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree. An accident close to home is usually not as serious as an accident farther away.
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

All of the time (N=4685) Most of the time (N=474) Some of the time (N=190) Rarely/Never (N=185)
Strongly or somewhat agree 14% 17% 23% 18%

Figure 52
Would Feel Self-Conscious Around Friends If Wore A Safety Belt And Friends Did Not
Qx: Now I’m going to read you a few statements. Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree. I would feel self-conscious around my friends if I wore a seat belt and they did not.
Base: Total population age 16+.
Unweighted N=6180
pie chart, data represented in table below:

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Not sure/ Refused
East 13% 6% 10% 69% 2%

Figure 53
Would Feel Self-Conscious Around Friends By Frequency Of Driver Safety Belt Use
Qx: When driving this (car/truck/van) how often do you wear your (shoulder/lap) belt?
Qx: Now I’m going to read you a few statements. Please tell me whether your strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree. I would feel self-conscious around my friends if I wore a seat belt and they did not.
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

All of the time (N=4685) Most of the time (N=474) Some of the time (N=190) Rarely/Never (N=185)
Strongly or somewhat agree 18% 16% 12% 12%

Figure 54
Have A Habit Of Wearing A Safety Belt Because Parents Insisted I Wear Them When I Was A Child By Age Group
Qx: Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree. I have a habit of wearing a seat belt because my parents insisted I wear them when I was a child.
Base: Population 16+ who answered the question (890 people were excluded from the base because they said when they were children there were no safety belts in parent’s vehicle).
Unweighted N’s listed above.
line chart, data represented in table below:

16-24 (N=997) 25-34 (N=1363) 35-44 (N=1285) 45-54 (N=783) 55-64 (N=419) 65+ (N=375)
Somewhat or strongly agree 69% 44% 26% 19% 12% 20%

Figure 55
Believe Wearing Safety Belt Doesn’t Matter By Driver Safety Belt Use
Qx: When driving this (car/truck/van) how often do you wear your (shoulder/lap) belt?
Qx: Do you agree or disagree that if it is your time to die, you’ll die, so it doesn’t matter whether you wear your seat belt?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Total (N=5536) All of the time (N=4685) Most of the time (N=474) Some of the time (N=190) Rarely/Never (N=185)
Agree 26% 23% 29% 47% 59%

Figure 56
Support For Front Seat Safety Belt Laws
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor these at all?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N=6180
*The percentages in the pie do not sum to 100% because of rounding.
pie chart, data represented in table below:

Favor a lot Favor some Not favor at all Not sure/ Refused Rarely/Never (N=185)
East 69% 18% 11% 1% 59%


Figure 57
Favor Front Seat Safety Belt Laws By Gender And Age
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor them at all?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Female (N=3244) Male (N=2936) 16-20 (N=531) 21-24 (N=468) 25-34 (N=1393) 35-44 (N=1360) 45-54 (N=948) 55-64 (N=636) 65+ (N=764)
Favor a lot 77% 61% 66% 62% 67% 67% 69% 73% 77%
Favor some 15% 22% 26% 21% 20% 20% 18% 12% 14%

Figure 58
Favor Front Seat Safety Belt Laws By Race And Ethnicity
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor them at all?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Black (N=537) White (N=4591) Hispanic (N=757) Non-Hispanic (N=5386)
Favor a lot 74% 67% 81% 68%
Favor some 18% 19% 12% 19%

Figure 59
Favor Front Seat Safety Belt Laws By Drivers’ Reported Safety Belt Use
Qx: When driving this (car/truck/van) how often do you wear your (shoulder/lap) belt?
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor them at all?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

All of the time (N=4685) Most of the time (N=474) Some of the time (N=190) Rarely/Never (N=185)
Favor a lot 74% 52% 32% 20%
Favor some 16% 32% 36% 27%

Figure 60
Support For Safety Belt Laws That Apply To Back Seat Adult Passengers
Support Front Seat Safety Belt Laws (N=6180)
Also Support Back Seat Safety Belt Laws (N=5381)

Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor these laws at all?
Qx: Do you think that seat belt laws should also apply to back seat adult passengers?
Base: Pie 1: Total population age 16+. Pie 2: Those who favor front safety belt laws.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
*The percentages in the pie do not sum to 100% because of rounding.
pie charts, data represented in tables below:
fig 60a

Not favor Favor a lot/ Some Not sure/ Refused
East 11% 88% 1%

fig 60b

Yes No Depends/ Other Not sure/ Refused
East 80% 15% 1% 3%

Figure 61
Favor Safety Belt Laws For Adult Front And Back Seat Passengers By Gender, Race, And Ethnicity
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor these laws at all?
Qx: Do you think that seat belt laws should also apply to back seat adult passengers?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Total (N=6180) Female (N=3244) Male (N=2936) White (N=4591) Black (N=537) Non-Hispanic (N=5386) Hispanic (N=757)
Front 70% 76% 64% 68% 72% 68% 83%

Figure 62
Favor Safety Belt Laws For Adult Front And Back Seat Passengers By Age
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor these laws at all?
Qx: Do you think that seat belt laws should also apply to back seat adult passengers?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

16-20 (N=531) 21-24 (N=468) 25-34 (N=1393) 35-44 (N=1360) 45-54 (N=948) 55-64 (N=636) 65+ (N=764)
Front 72% 62% 65% 72% 72% 69% 74%

Figure 63
Support For Fines And Points
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor these laws at all?
Qx: Do you favor or oppose fines for drivers who do not wear seat belts?
Qx: Do you favor or oppose receiving points against a license as a penalty for seat belt violations?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N=6180
*The percentages in the pies do not sum to 100% because of rounding.
pie charts, data represented in tables below:
fig 63 a - fines

Favor Oppose Not sure/ Refused **Oppose belt laws
East 65% 19% 3% 12%

fig 63b
Favor Oppose Not sure/ Refused **Oppose belt laws Depends
East 31% 49% 4% 12% 2%

Figure 64
Support For Fines And Points By Gender, Race, And Ethnicity
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor these laws at all?
Qx: Do you favor or oppose fines for drivers who do not wear seat belts?
Qx: Do you favor or oppose receiving points against a license as a penalty for seat belt violations?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N=6180
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Total (N=6180) Female (N=3244) Male (N=2936) White (N=4591) Black (N=537) Non-Hispanic (N=5386) Hispanic (N=757)
Fines 65% 71% 59% 64% 64% 64% 74%
Points 31% 34% 28% 30% 31% 30% 45%

Figure 65
Support For Fines And Points By Age
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor these laws at all?
Qx: Do you favor or oppose fines for drivers who do not wear seat belts?
Qx: Do you favor or oppose receiving points against a license as a penalty for seat belt violations?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N=6180
bar chart, data represented in table below:

16-20 (N=531) 21-24 (N=468) 25-34 (N=1393) 35-44 (N=1360) 45-54 (N=948) 55-64 (N=636) 65+ (N=764)
Fines 65% 59% 65% 64% 66% 65% 68%
Points 0.42 0.35 0.32 0.29 0.28 0.29 0.32

Figure 66
Suggested Minimum Fine For Violation Of Safety Belt Law: Fine Supporters
Qx: What do you think the minimum fine should be for the first seat belt violation?
Qx: What do you think the minimum fine should be for repeat seat belt violations?
Base: Support fines for safety belt law violations.
Unweighted N=3978
bar chart, data represented in table below:

No fine/ Warning $1-24 $25-49 $50-74 $75-99 $100+ Not sure/ Refused
First violation 6% 11% 23% 27% 3% 18% 12%
Repeat violations 1% 3% 9% 21% 5% 48% 14%

Figure 67
Someone They Know Would Probably Or Definitely Wear Safety Belts More Often If Assessed The State Fine
Qx: I’d like you to think about someone you know who doesn’t wear seat belts all of the time. If that person were stopped and fined (amount of fine in state) for not wearing seat belts, would this person definitely wear seat belts more often, probably wear seat belts more often, or probably not change his or her seat belt wearing habits?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
line chart, data represented in table below:

$10  or less (N=810) $15 (N=273) $20 (N=1102) $25 (N=2314) $30-$49 (N=516) $50 (N=937) $75+ (N=228)
Definitely or probably wear more often 33% 44% 47% 45% 49% 59% 53%

Figure 68
Likely Reaction To Receiving Ticket For Safety Belt Violation
Qx: Suppose you get a ticket for not wearing your seat belt. Which of the following statements better describes your likely reaction? I deserve the ticket because I broke the law, or I do NOT deserve the ticket because wearing a seat belt should be a personal choice.
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N=6180
pie chart, data represented in table below:

I deserve ticket I don't deserve ticket Not sure/ Refused
East 71% 26% 3%

Figure 69
Deserve Safety Belt Ticket By Favor Or Oppose Front Seat Safety Belt Laws
Qx: How do you feel about laws that require drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts? Do you favor these laws a lot, do you favor them some, or do you not favor them at all?
Qx: Suppose you get a ticket for not wearing your seat belt. Which of the following statements better describes your likely reaction? I deserve the ticket because I broke the law, or I do NOT deserve the ticket because wearing a seat belt should be a personal choice.
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Not favor at all (N=712) Favor some (N=1148) Favor a lot (N=4233)
East 18% 48% 87%

Figure 70
Likely Reaction To Receiving Safety Belt Ticket By Gender, Race, And Ethnicity
Qx: Suppose you get a ticket for not wearing your seat belt. Which of the following statements better describes your likely reaction? I deserve the ticket because I broke the law, or I do NOT deserve the ticket because wearing a seat belt should be a personal choice.
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Male (N=2936) Female (N=3244) White (N=4591) Black (N=537) Non-Hispanic (N=5386) Hispanic (N=757)
Deserve ticket 66% 76% 70% 74% 70% 81%
Don't deserve ticket 31% 21% 28% 23% 27% 17%

Figure 71
Believe Their State Has A Law Requiring Safety Belt Use
Qx: Does (STATE) have a law requiring seat belt use?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N=6180
pie chart, data represented in table below:

Yes Not sure No
East 94% 5% 1%

Figure 72
Who Is Required To Wear Safety Belts According To State Law
Qx: Who is required to wear seat belts according to your state law? Are (READ ITEM) required to wear seat belts?
Base: Believe their state has a safety belt law.
Unweighted N=5805
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Drivers Children in front Children in back Adults in front Adults in back
Front 98% 93% 86% 94% 48%

Figure 73
Driver Reported Safety Belt Use By Whether Driver Believes Law Covers Drivers
Believe Law Covers Drivers (N=5159)
Unaware Of Law, Or Don’t Think (Or Don’t Know If) Law Covers Driver (N=377)

Qx: Who is required to wear seat belts according to your state law? Are (Drivers) required to wear seat belts?
Qx: When driving this (car/truck/van) how often do you wear your (shoulder/lap) belt?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
*The percentages in the pies do not sum to 100% because of rounding.
pie charts, data represented in tables below:
fig 73a

All of the time Most times Sometimes /Rarely /Never
East 85% 8% 6%

fig 73b
All of the time Most times Sometimes /Rarely /Never
East 83% 7% 9%

Figure 74
Adults’ Reported Front Passenger Safety Belt Use By Whether Believe Law Covers That Position
Believe Law Covers Adult Front Seat Passengers (FSPs) (N=4984)
Unaware of Law, Or Don’t Think (Or Don’t Know If) Law Covers FSPs (N=681)

Qx: Who is required to wear seat belts according to your state law? Are (adult passengers in the front seat) required to wear seat belts?
Qx: When riding as a passenger in the front seat how often do you wear your seat belt?
Base: Persons who at least on occasion ride as passengers.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
*The percentages in the pie do not sum to 100% because of rounding.
pie charts, data represented in tables below:
fig 74a

All of the time Most times Sometimes /Rarely /Never
East 83% 9% 7%

fig 74b
All of the time Most times Sometimes /Rarely /Never
East 79% 12% 9%

Figure 75
Adults’ Reported Back Passenger Safety Belt Use By Whether Believe Law Covers That Position
Believe Law Covers Adult Back Seat Passengers (BSPs) (N=2447)
Unaware of Law, Or Don’t Think (Or Don’t Know If) Law Covers BSPs (N=3218)

Qx: Who is required to wear seat belts according to your state law? Are (adult passengers in the back seat) required to wear seat belts?
Qx: When riding as a passenger in the back seat how often do you wear your seat belt?
Base: Persons who at least on occasion ride as passengers.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
pie charts, data represented in tables below:
fig 75a

All of the time Most times Sometimes /Rarely /Never Never ride in back
East 62% 11% 20% 7%

fig 75b
All of the time Most times Sometimes /Rarely /Never Never ride in back
East 45% 13% 36% 6%

Figure 76
Beliefs About Which Adults Are Required To Wear Safety Belts
Qx: Who is required to wear seat belts according to your state law? Are (READ ITEM) required to wear seat belts?
Base: Believe their state has a safety belt law.
Unweighted N=5805
* Other includes Don’t know/Refused and other combinations not shown in the pie.
pie chart, data represented in table below:

Drivers, front, and back seat passengers Drivers and front seat passengers Drivers only *Other
East 47% 46% 5% 2%

Figure 77
Beliefs About Whether State Law Permits Standard Or Secondary Enforcement
Believe State Has Safety Belt Law (N=6180)
Type Of Enforcement (N=5805)

Qx: Does (STATE) have a law requiring seat belt use?
Qx: According to your state law, can police stop a vehicle if they observe a seat belt violation or do they have to observe some other offense first in order to stop the vehicle?
Base: Total population age 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
pie charts, data represented in tables below:
fig 77a

No Yes Not sure
East 1% 94% 5%

fig 77b
Standard Secondary Not sure
East 66% 20% 14%


Figure 78
Knowledge Of Standard Versus Secondary Enforcement By Provisions Of State Law
Qx: According to your state law, can police stop a vehicle if they observe a seat belt violation or do they have to observe some other offense first in order to stop the vehicle?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Total (N=6180) Standard states (N=3334) Secondary states (N=2816)
Believe state law is standard 62% 77% 46%
Believe state law is secondary 19% 8% 31%
Don't know provisions of law 13% 11% 15%
Don't believe there is law or not sure 6% 4% 8%

Figure 79
Reported Safety Belt Use By Whether Driver Lives In Standard Or Secondary Enforcement State
Standard Enforcement States (N=2944)
Secondary Enforcement States (N=2567)

Qx: When driving this (car/truck/van) how often do you wear your (shoulder/lap) belt?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
*The percentages in the pie do not sum to 100% because of rounding.
pie charts, data represented in tables below:
fig79a

All of the time Most of the time Some of the time Rarely/ Never
East 89% 7% 2% 2%

fig 79b
All of the time Most of the time Some of the time Rarely/ Never
East 81% 10% 5% 4%

Figure 80
Reported Safety Belt Use By Whether Driver Believes Law Allows Standard Or Secondary Enforcement
Believe State Law Permits Standard Enforcement (N=3488)
Believe State Law Permits Secondary Enforcement (N=1086)

Qx: When driving this (car/truck/van) how often do you wear your (shoulder/lap) belt?
Qx: According to your state law, can police stop a vehicle if they observe a seat belt violation or do they have to observe some other offense first in order to stop the vehicle?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
pie charts, data represented in tables below:
fig 80a

All of the time Most of the time Some of the time Rarely/ Never
East 86% 8% 3% 3%

fig 80b
All of the time Most of the time Some of the time Rarely/ Never
East 80% 11% 5% 4%

Figure 81
Support For Standard Enforcement By Whether State Allows It
Qx: In your opinion, should police be allowed to stop a vehicle if they observe a seat belt violation when no other traffic laws are being broken?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Total (N=6180) Standard enforcement states (N=3334) Secondary enforcement states (N=2816)
Yes 64% 71% 56%
No 33% 26% 41%
Not sure/Refused 0.03 0.03 0.03

Figure 82
Support For Standard Enforcement By Whether Respondent Thinks Law Is Standard Or Secondary
Qx: According to your state law, can police stop a vehicle if they observe a seat belt violation or do they have to observe some other offense first in order to stop the vehicle?
Qx: In your opinion, should police be allowed to stop a vehicle if they observe a seat belt violation when no other traffic laws are being broken?
Base: Believe their State has a safety belt law, and identified it as having standard or secondary enforcement provisions.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Believe state law is standard (N=3873) Believe state law is secondary (N=1162)
Yes 73% 42%
No 26% 55%
Not sure/Refused 2% 3%

Figure 83
Reasons People Believe Safety Belt Violations Should Be Treated Differently From Other Violations
Qx: Most other traffic laws allow police to stop the vehicle whenever they see a violation. Why do you think seat belt violations should be treated differently from other traffic violations?
Base: Those who think that police should not be allowed to stop a vehicle for a safety belt violation.
Unweighted N=2106
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Not sure/Refused Other Hard to see if people wearing belts Police may abuse it Doesn't pose a risk to others Not as serious a violation Should be a personal choice
East 11% 7% 2% 5% 16% 18% 48%

Figure 84
Drivers Stopped In Past Year By Police For Traffic-Related Reason By Gender, Race, And Ethnicity
Qx: In the past twelve months, since (MONTH) of last year, have you been stopped by police for any traffic-related reason while driving?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Total (N=5561) Male (N=2705) Female (N=2856) White (N=4295) Black (N=439) Non-Hispanic (N=4976) Hispanic (N=555)
Front 17% 20% 14% 17% 17% 17% 17%

Figure 85
Drivers Stopped In Past Year By Police For Traffic-Related Reason By Age
Qx: In the past twelve months, since (MONTH) of last year, have you been stopped by police for any traffic-related reason while driving?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

16-20 (N=421) 21-24 (N=412) 25-34 (N=1283) 35-44 (N=1271) 45-54 (N=878) 55-64 (N=581) 65+ (N=642)
Front 28% 32% 22% 17% 15% 9% 7%

Figure 86
Drivers Stopped By Police In Past Year By Age And Race
Qx: In the past twelve months, since (MONTH) of last year, have you been stopped by police for any traffic-related reason while driving?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s:
line chart, data represented in table below:

Age 16-24 Age 25-34 Age 35-44 Age 45+
Black 20% 25% 19% 11%
White 32% 22% 17% 11%

Figure 87
Drivers Stopped By Police In Past Year By Age And Ethnicity
Qx: In the past twelve months, since (MONTH) of last year, have you been stopped by police for any traffic-related reason while driving?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s:
line chart, data represented in table below:

Age 16-24 Age 25-34 Age 35-44 Age 45+
Hispanic 21% 20% 14% 12%
Non-Hispanic 32% 23% 17% 11%


Figure 88
Drivers Stopped In Past Year For Traffic-Related Reason By Enforcement Provisions Of State Law
Qx: In the past twelve months, since (MONTH) of last year, have you been stopped by police for any traffic-related reason while driving?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Standard enforcement states (N=2954) Secondary enforcement states (N=2582)
17% 16%

Figure 89
Whether Driver Was Wearing Safety Belt At Traffic Stop
Wearing Safety Belt at Time Of Traffic Stop (N=1012)
Received Ticket Or Warning For Not Wearing Safety Belt (N=153)

Qx: Were you wearing a seat belt when you were stopped? (IF STOPPED MORE THAN ONCE IN PAST 12 MONTHS, ASK ABOUT MOST RECENT TIME)
Qx: Did you receive a ticket for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Did you receive a warning for violating seat belt laws?
Base: Stopped by police in past 12 months for a traffic-related reason while driving.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
pie charts, data represented in tables below:
fig 89a

No Yes
East 14% 86%

fig 89b
Safety belt ticket No safety belt ticket or warning Safety belt warning
East 52% 34% 14%

Figure 90
Outcome Of Traffic Stop
Qx: In the past twelve, since (MONTH) of last year, have you been stopped by police for any traffic-related reason while driving?
Qx: Did you receive a ticket for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Did you receive a ticket for some other traffic violation?
Qx: Did you receive a ticket for any traffic violation?
Base: Stopped by police in past 12 months for a traffic-related reason while driving.
Unweighted N=1012
pie chart, data represented in table below:

Other ticket only Safety belt ticket only Safety belt and other ticket Neither safety belt nor other ticket
East 52% 4% 3% 41%

Figure 91
Outcome Of Traffic Stop By Enforcement Provisions Of State Law
Qx: Did you receive a ticket for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Did you receive a warning for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Have you ever received a ticket for not wearing seat belts?
Qx: Have you ever received a warning for not wearing seat belts?
Base: Stopped by police in past 12 months for a traffic-related reason while driving.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Standard enforcement states (N=552) Secondary enforcement states (N=455)
Safety belt ticket only 5% 3%
Safety belt and other ticket 4% 3%
Other ticket only 51% 52%
Neither ticket 40% 42%

Figure 92
Ever Received Ticket Or Warning For Safety Belt Violation
Qx: Did you receive a ticket for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Did you receive a warning for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Have you ever received a ticket for not wearing seat belts?
Qx: Have you ever received a warning for not wearing seat belts?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N=6180
pie chart, data represented in table below:

Warning only Ticket and warning Ticket only Neither ticket nor warning
East 4% 2% 7% 87%

Figure 93
Ever Received Safety Belt Ticket Or Warning By Race And Ethnicity
Qx: Did you receive a ticket for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Did you receive a warning for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Have you ever received a ticket for not wearing seat belts?
Qx: Have you ever received a warning for not wearing seat belts?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Black (N=537) White (N=4591) Hispanic (N=757) Non-Hispanic (N=5386)
Ticket only 10% 7% 6% 8%
Warning only 5% 4% 5% 4%
Ticket and warning 3% 2% 2% 2%


Figure 94
Ever Received Safety Belt Ticket Or Warning By Enforcement Provisions Of State Law
Qx: Did you receive a ticket for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Did you receive a warning for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Have you ever received a ticket for not wearing seat belts?
Qx: Have you ever received a warning for not wearing seat belts?
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Standard enforcement states (N=3334) Secondary enforcement states (N=2816)
Ticket only 8% 6%
Warning only 4% 4%
Ticket and warning 2% 1%

Figure 95
Reported Change In Frequency Of Safety Belt Use After Receiving Safety Belt Ticket Or Warning
Qx: After you received the seat belt (ticket/warning), did you start wearing your seat belts more often, less often, or was there no change in how often you wore them?
Base: Had received a ticket and/or warning for a safety belt violation at some time in the past.
Unweighted N=899
pie chart, data represented in table below:

Used more often Used less often No change Not sure/ Refused
East 58% 1% 40% 1%

Figure 96
Driver “All The Time” Safety Belt Use By Whether Ever Received Safety Belt Ticket Or Warning
Qx: When driving this (car/truck/van) how often do you wear your (shoulder/lap) belt?
Qx: Did you receive a ticket for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Did you receive a warning for violating seat belt laws?
Qx: Have you ever received a ticket for not wearing seat belts?
Qx: Have you ever received a warning for not wearing seat belts?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Ticket only (N=469) Warning only (N=219) Ticket and warning (N=113) Neither (N=4726)
69% 65% 53% 88%

Figure 97
Likelihood Of Receiving A Safety Belt Ticket If Safety Belts Were Not Worn For Six Months
Qx: Assume that you do not wear your seat belt AT ALL while driving over the next six months. How likely do you think you will be to receive a ticket for not wearing a seat belt?
Base: Drives a motor vehicle.
Unweighted N=5561
pie chart, data represented in table below:

Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely Not sure/ Refused
East 21% 25% 21% 29% 4%

Figure 98
Perceived Risk Of Being Ticketed For Non-Use By Enforcement Provisions Of State Law
Qx: Assume that you do not wear your seat belt AT ALL while driving over the next six months. How likely do you think you will be to receive a ticket for not wearing a seat belt?
Base: Drives a motor vehicle.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

Standard states (N=2954) Secondary states (N=2582)
Very likely 26% 15%
Somewhat likely 28% 22%
Somewhat unlikely 19% 22%
Very unlikely 23% 36%
Not sure/Refused 4% 5%

Figure 99
Perceived Risk Of Being Ticketed For Non-Use By Drivers’ Reported Frequency Of Safety Belt Use
Qx: When driving this (car/truck/van) how often do you wear your (shoulder/lap) belt?
Qx: Assume that you do not wear your seat belt AT ALL while driving over the next six months. How likely do you think you will be to receive a ticket for not wearing a seat belt?
Base: Drivers whose primary vehicle has safety belts.
Unweighted N’s listed above.
bar chart, data represented in table below:

All of the time (N=4685) Most of the time (N=474) Some of the time (N=190) Rarely/Never (N=185)
Somewhat or very likely 48% 43% 31% 24%

Figure 100
Police In My Community Generally Do Not Bother To Write Tickets For Safety Belt Violations
Qx: Now I’m going to read you a few statements. Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree. “Police in my community generally do not bother to write tickets for seat belt violations.”
Base: Total population 16+.
Unweighted N=6180
pie chart, data represented in table below:

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Not sure/ Refused
East 18% 24% 18% 20% 21%