****
> **Table of Contents******

> - **Preface****** 
- **Background** 
- **National Goals** 
- **National Strategies** 
- **NHTSA Regional Plans** 
- **Status of Occupant                Protection in America** 
- **Child Passenger                Safety** 
- **Public Opinions and                Attitudes** 
- Progress to Date
- Build Public-Private                Partnerships
- Enact Strong                Legislation
- Active, High                Visibility Law Enforcement
- Effective Public                Education
- Future Plans and                Activities 

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> 
*"Safety is my highest transportation priority, and we can not    tolerate the loss of 40,000 lives each year on America's    highways. As a father and a husband, I ask you to join me in    taking this campaign for safe streets and highways to every    American."*

William J.    Clinton

President

 

*"As    Secretary of Transportation, I am committed to significantl    reducing the number of people injured and killed in motor    vehicle crashes each year. Working together, we can save    lives and prevent needless injuries. I can think of no better    way to usher in the 21st century."*

Rodney E.    Slater

Secretary,    Department of Transportation

 

*"Motor    vehicle crashes cost us more than $150 billion a year. The    vast majority of these crashes are not acts of fate but are    predictable and preventable. We know that properly using seat    belts and child safety seats will save lives, prevent    injuries, and reduce costs."*

Ricardo    Martinez, M.D.

Administrator,    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

 

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House    and Senate Appropriations Committees Requested**** Biannual Report on Presidential Seat    Belt Initiative
The    following report is submitted in response to the House and    Senate Appropriation Committees’ directive to the    Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To    keep the Committees fully apprised of the activities which    have been conducted in pursuit of the national goals outlined    in the *Presidential Initiative to Increase Seat Belt Use    Nationwide*, reports will be submitted on a biannual    basis with this first report submitted in January 1998. 

 

**Background******

In    a weekly radio address to the nation on December 28, 1996,    President William J. Clinton asked all Americans to always    wear seat belts as a first line of defense against traffic    injuries and fatalities and to always keep children, ages 12    and under, buckled in the back seat where they are safest. On    January 23, 1997, the President directed the Secretary of    Transportation to prepare a plan to increase the use of seat    belts nationwide.

The    President directed the Secretary to work with Congress, the    States, and other concerned Americans, including the    automobile and insurance industries and safety and consumer    groups, to develop the plan. He further directed that the    plan address: 1) State laws that require the use of seat    belts; 2) assistance from the Department of Transportation    (DOT) to improve these State laws; and 3) a comprehensive    education campaign on behalf of the public and private    sectors to help the public understand the need to wear seat    belts.

NHTSA,    as the lead DOT agency in developing the plan, met with and    solicited input from Congress, other Federal agencies, the    States, the private sector, including automobile    manufacturers and insurers, and many other groups and    organizations.

On    April 16, 1997, the *Presidential Initiative to Increase    Seat Belt Use Nationwide (Seat Belt Initiative)*was    submitted to the President and announced at a White House    press briefing by Secretary Rodney Slater and five previous    Secretaries of Transportation.

That    same day, in a show of Administration support, the President    signed Executive Order 13043, *Increasing Seat Belt Use in    the United States,*which requires seat belt use by    Federal employees on-the-job. The Executive Order directs    that all occupants of motor vehicles in a national park area    or on a defense installation be properly restrained as    required by law. The Executive Order also recommends the    adoption of seat belt policies and programs by federal    contractors, grantees, and Tribal Governments. 

**National Goals******

> 
The    *Presidential Initiative to Increase Seat Belt Use    Nationwide* sets bold, ambitious seat belt and child    safety seat goals. When reached, the increased use of seat    belts and child safety seats will save lives, prevent    injuries, reduce health care and other costs, as well as    improve the lives of everyone living in the United States.    The goals are:

> - Increase national seat belt use to 85            percent by 2000 and 90 percent by 2005 (From 68            percent in 1996) 
- Reduce child occupant fatalities (0-4            years) by 15 percent in 2000 and by 25 percent in            2005 (Reduced to 515 in 2005) 

> 
 

**National Strategies******

The    *Presidential Initiative to Increase Seat Belt Use    Nationwide* presents a collaborative four point strategy    to achieve the ambitious national goals of increasing seat    belt and child safety seat use. Individuals must take    responsibility for themselves and for their child passengers    by making certain everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled    up — every time and on every trip. It will, however,    take the collective efforts of many people and many    organizations to ensure that every person in America has the    knowledge make the right choice and to take personal    responsibility. The National Strategy has a role for everyone    and builds on the considerable responsibility. The    activities, resources already committed by many different    organizations to this common funding, and cause.

> 
The    National Strategy has four elements that, when implemented    together, have proven to be effective in increasing seat belt    use. The first element is the most important: organizations    and individuals must join together **to build the    public- private partnerships** necessary to help    America reach its potential to save lives and prevent    injuries through the use of seat belts and child safety    seats. In addition, to increase seat belt and child safety    seat use, each State must **enact strong legislation**    and embrace **active, high visibility law enforcement.**    Finally, all public and private partners must conduct    well-coordinated, **effective public education.**    These strategies work.

**NHTSA Regional Plans******

> 
Each    of the ten regions crafted a strategic plan for achieving the    *Seat Belt Initiative* goals within the context of its    own challenges and opportunities. Each plan takes a unique,    tailored approach to creating expanded partnerships, securing    stronger laws, boosting law enforcement, and delivering more    effective education.

 

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**Status    of Occupant Protction in America**

> 
Every    14 seconds, someone in America is injured in a traffic crash.    Every 12 minutes, someone is killed in a crash. Seat belts    work. They are the most effective means of reducing    fatalities and serious injuries when traffic crashes occur    and are estimated to save 9,500 lives in America each year.    Lap and shoulder belts, when used properly, reduce the risk    of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45    percent and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50    percent. For light truck occupants, the effectiveness    increases to 60 and 65 percent, respectively.

> 
While    the first seat belts were installed by automobile    manufacturers in the 1950s, seat belt use was very low —    only 10 to 15 percent nationwide — until the early    1980s. From 1984 through 1987, belt use increased from 14    percent to 42 percent, as a result of the passage of seat    belt use laws in 31 States. From 1990 through 1992, belt use    increased from 49 percent to 62 percent, as a result of a    national effort of highly visible enforcement and public    education. 

> 
**Seat belt use has risen                slowly since then and some States have struggled                to maintain belt use at current levels.**

> 
In    1996, seat belt use nationwide was 68 percent and ranged    across the States from a high of 87 percent in**California**, to a low of 43 percent in **North    Dakota.** Currently, 49 States, the **District    of Columbia**, **Puerto Rico,** and all    the **U.S. Territories** have seat belt laws. **New    Hampshire** is the only exception. (New Hampshire    requires seat belt use up to age 18.)

> 
At    the time President Clinton directed the Secretary of    Transportation to address this problem, 11 States, the **U.S.    Territories**and **Puerto Rico**, had    primary (or "standard") enforcement laws. Three of    these States (**California, Louisiana, and Georgia**),    and the **Virgin Islands** had upgraded their    laws from secondary enforcement to primary enforcement laws. 

> 
Under    "primary" enforcement, a citation can be written    whenever a law enforcement officer observes an unbelted    driver or passenger. The remaining 38 States had laws    providing for "secondary" enforcement of seat belt    violations, requiring an officer to stop a violator for    another infraction before issuing a citation for failure to    buckle up.

> 
In    the states with primary laws, the average seat belt use rate    was 15 percentage points higher than in States with secondary    laws. 

**Child Passenger Safety******

> 
Child    safety seats, when used properly, reduce the risk of fatal    injury in a crash by 69 percent for infants (less than 1 year    old) and by 47 percent for toddlers (1-4 years old). In 1996,    there were 653 occupant fatalities among children under 5    years of age. Of those 653 fatalities, an estimated 338 (52    percent) were totally unrestrained. 

> 
From    1982 through 1996, an estimated 3,299 lives were saved by the    use of child restraints (child safety seats or adult belts).    In 1996, an estimated 365 children under age 5 were saved as    a result of child restraint use. 

> 
If    all motor vehicle occupants under 5 years old were protected    by child safety seats, an estimated additional 195 lives    could have been saved in 1996. 

**Public Opinions and Attitudes******

> 
The    vast majority of the population expresses positive attitudes    about seat belt usage. When asked how often they wear their    seat belts, 76 percent of drivers say they do so "all    the time" when driving. Yet almost 10 percent of these    "all the time" users also indicate that they failed    to buckle up at least once while driving in the past week.    For those who report wearing seat belts "most of the    time" (12 percent of all drivers), almost 70 percent say    they did not wear seat belts while driving in the past week.    This underscores the fact that many people fall into the    category of "part time" seat belt users, even    though they may view themselves as full time users. In fact,    part time users appear to substantially outnumber nonusers.    This has profound implications for the program strategies and    messages. NHTSA currently is conducting focus groups and    other research to sharpen its messages and strengthen its    programs.

> 
The    most frequent reason people give for using seat belts is to    avoid injury: 68 percent of drivers who use seat belts say    this is the most important reason. This does not necessarily    mean that safety concerns provide the initial impetus for    their wearing seat belts but it does show the importance of    having a strong safety message that people can use to justify    their usage behavior. The most frequent reasons given for    nonuse are that the driver was only going a short distance,    or that the driver forgot to wear the belt. These responses    show that many people are part time belt users rather than    nonusers. When nonusers are viewed separately, discomfort    becomes an important reason for not wearing seat belts.

> 
Survey    data also show strong support for seat belt laws. Most    persons age 16 and older either strongly (63 percent) or    somewhat (23 percent) favor seat belt laws that apply to    drivers and front seat passengers. About three-quarters of    those who favor the front seat laws believe that they should    apply to back seat adult passengers as well. If persons    support belt laws, they also support fines for violators (by    about a 3-to-1 ratio). They prefer small, minimum fines for a    first offense, but many are willing to accept more    substantial fines for multiple offenders.

> 
Most    people now support primary enforcement laws (52 percent).    Support for primary enforcement is higher in primary belt law    States (65 percent) than in secondary belt law States (46    percent).

 

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**Progress to Date******

Since    last April, when President Clinton accepted the plan    recommended by DOT Secretary Rodney Slater, progress has been    made toward the *Initiative’s*stated goals. New    public-private partnerships, strong State legislation, high    visibility enforcement of occupant protection laws, and    effective public education have encouraged Americans to    buckle up and take responsibility for their child passengers.

> 
Following    the National Strategy model outlined in the *Seat Belt    Initiative*, DOT established the **Buckle Up    America (BUA)**Campaign, the vehicle for delivering    the messages and providing the necessary technical tools to    implement the *Seat Belt Initiative*. The *BUA*    campaign encompasses implementation, monitoring, and    evaluation components for each of the four elements of the    National Strategy: Partnerships, Legislation, Enforcement,    and Education.

**Build Public-Private Partnerships******

> 
Through    the establishment of **public and private sector    partnerships,** new networks are serving as a catalyst    to help America reach its potential of saving lives and    preventing injuries through the use of seat belts and child    safety seats. Many national, State, and local organizations    from the private and public sectors, including government,    law enforcement, professional sports, health and medicine,    and minority groups, have embraced the goals and strategies    of the*Initiative* and are actively promoting the *BUA*campaign.

> 
To    assist partners in implementing the*BUA* campaign,    NHTSA developed a "tool kit" to provide partners    with information, ideas, assistance, and products that make    it easier to participate in the campaign’s legislative,    enforcement, and education efforts. These tools include    technical support, talking points, sample legislation, law    enforcement training, print materials, sample letters,    newsletter articles, and other resources to inform and    energize partners nationwide.

> 
**President    Clinton Announces Buckle Up America Campaign**

> 
On    October 6, 1997, at a nationally televised town hall meeting,    President Clinton, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop,    North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, Seattle Mayor Norm Rice,    Kaiser Permanente CEO Dave Lawrence, M.D., and other    national, State, and local leaders joined Secretary of    Transportation Slater and National Highway Traffic Safety    Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D., in announcing the new *Buckle    Up America*campaign in support of the *Presidential    Initiative to Increase Seat Belt Use Nationwide.*

> 
The    televised town hall meeting encouraged national, State, and    local partners to take action. The town meeting was carried    via satellite and down linked to more than 80 sites    nationwide. Thousands of participants across America took    part in NHTSA-facilitated discussions following the    broadcast.

> 
**Partners    Endorse the Initiative**

> 
Private    sector business and national organizations are key components    for expanding the network and implementing the*BUA*    campaign. Reaching the goal of making unrestrained drivers    and passengers socially unacceptable in America requires    multiple approaches. For instance, employers have a keen    interest in a healthy workforce as well as the bottom line.    Buckling up is good for business. 

> 
The    following private sector groups are examples of organizations    which have begun to aggressively pursue the seat belt and    child safety seat strategies.

> 
McDonalds    and General Motors Join Buckle Up America Campaign

> 
**McDonalds**    and **GM/Chevrolet** joined with NHTSA to    promote child transportation safety messages in support of    the *Buckle Up America* campaign. Working with GM,    McDonalds expects to distribute over 10 million child safety    booklets attached to Happy Meals during the May 1998 *Buckle    Up America!*Week.

> 
Air    Bag Safety Campaign 

> 
The    **Air Bag Safety Campaign**(ABSC), one of    NHTSA’s closest occupant protection partners, represents    the insurance industry, automobile manufacturers, air bag    manufacturers, and private sector safety organizations. 

> 
In    cooperation with NHTSA, law enforcement, and the media, the    ABSC conducted a national information and education campaign    called *Operation ABC, Always Buckle Children in Back.*    Through active enforcement and hard news messages, this    campaign educated parents and other caregivers about the    dangers of air bags to children. National recognition of the    issue skyrocketed. 

> 
Network    of Employers for Traffic Safety 

> 
The    **Network of Employers for Traffic Safety**    (NETS) is a coalition of more than 3,000 organizations and    businesses across the United States dedicated to reducing    motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and the related costs to    employers.

> 
NETS,    in support of the *Buckle Up America* campaign,    established *Belt America 2000*. This new program    provides employers with information and tools to implement    seat belt use policies and occupant protection awareness    programs for employees, their family members, and the nation    as a whole.

> 
National    Safety Council 

> 
The    **National Safety Council** (NSC), in support of    the *Seat Belt Initiative* and the *BUA*    campaign, joined with the ABSC and NETS to host a Fortune 750    meeting of corporate officials to present the new National    Goals and to expand the partnership with other businesses to    join the *BUA* campaign.

> 
American    Public Health Association

> 
In    support of the *Buckle Up America* campaign, the    Executive Board and Executive Director of the **American    Public Health Association**(APHA) agreed to    "support and endorse the public education *initiatives*    of the campaign and will work with the public health    community, the public, law enforcement agencies, businesses,    medical organizations and others at the national, State, and    local levels to ensure that all children and adults buckle    up."

> 
Additional    Partners

> 
In    addition to these noteworthy organizations, many other public    and private sector groups at the national, State, and local    levels have embraced the *BUA* campaign and have begun    to develop and promote occupant protection programs with    their own constituents, the media, and the public at large.

> 
National    organizations in the area of health, law enforcement, the    judiciary, and numerous other disciplines asked Secretary    Slater, Deputy Secretary Downey, Administrator Martinez, and    NHTSA Deputy Administrator Philip Recht, to address their    annual meetings and conferences. These officials presented    the *Seat Belt Initiative* and the *Buckle Up    America* campaign in a variety of forums, while    encouraging participation. Examples include: **Centers    for Disease Control** (CDC), **American Medical    Association** (AMA), **American Bar Association**    (ABA), and **American Association of State Highway    Transportation Officials** (ASHTO). 

> 
As    specified in the directive from the President, DOT began    establishing points of contact beyond the Executive Branch by    working with agencies within the Legislative and Judicial    Branches, as well as the Native American Nations. These    efforts focused on determining how best to encourage seat    belt use across the Federal work force. Different approaches    are required in different work settings.

> 
**Diversity    Initiative**

> 
In    an effort to broaden the message’s delivery system and    to establish partnerships with diverse groups and    organizations, special efforts are being made to gain support    and commitment from non-traditional traffic safety partners. 

> 
DOT    officials have met with and addressed several professional    and advocate minority organizations, including the **National    Urban League, National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human    Services Organizations, National Bar Association, National    Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National    Political Congress of Black Women**, and the **Congressional    Black Caucus**. 

> 
The    Afro-American newspaper issued a special automotive    supplement highlighting the *Presidential Initiative to    Increase Seat Belt Use Nationwide*. Other diverse    organizations have expressed interest in getting involved in    the *BUA* campaign.

> 
**Safe    Communities**

> 
State    highway safety offices and departments of health and public    safety are partnering with the regional offices of NHTSA and    other DOT modal administrations to expand the network of Safe    Communities injury prevention programs and to boost the    attention and energy Safe Communities coalitions devote to    occupant protection issues.

**Enact Strong Legislation******

> 
The    second component of the National Strategy and the *Buckle    Up America* campaign is to **enact strong    legislation.** Experience has shown that State primary    seat belt laws significantly increase seat belt and child    safety seat use. To support this strategy under *BUA*,    a wide coalition of partners is encouraging States to pass    primary seat belt laws and to upgrade child passenger safety    laws to close the gaps in coverage for children not covered    under current State laws.

> 
**Legislative    Accomplishments**

> 
This    year **Oklahoma, Maryland**, and the **District    of Columbia** upgraded their seat belt laws from    secondary to primary enforcement. 

> 
**Virginia**    and **New Hampshire**upgraded their child    passenger laws to cover all children up to age 16 and 18,    respectively.

> 
In    addition to upgrading its secondary seat belt law to primary    enforcement, the **District of Columbia** became    the first governmental body to pass a seat belt law that    assesses driver license penalty points. The District of    Columbia’s new law authorizes the assessment of two    penalty points and a $50 fine for a seat belt use violation.    The new law covers all seating positions.

> 
Many    other States plan to introduce primary seat belt legislation    during their 1998 legislative sessions.

> 
**Legislative    Activities**

> 
NHTSA    assisted legislative activities by drafting model seat belt    and child passenger safety laws. These model laws were    drafted in cooperation with the **National Committee on    Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances, National Association of    Governors’ Highway Safety Representatives, Insurance    Institute for Highway Safety, National Safe Kids Campaign,**    and the **National Transportation Safety Board.**

> 
These    two model laws incorporate the best knowledge and experience    to date. The models have been distributed to interested    States and have already proven to be a useful tool and    resource. The **District of Columbia** primary    law was based on the provisions contained in the model seat    belt legislation. 

> 
The    model seat belt law includes provisions for primary    enforcement, the use of seat belts in all seating positions    and by all occupants, adequate fine levels, and the    assessment of driver points. The provisions included in the    model were selected on the basis of known evidence of their    ability to increase belt use and belt law compliance.

> 
The    model child passenger safety law includes coverage of    children up to the age of 16 in all seating positions;    requires car seats for children who are younger than four or    less than 40 pounds, and seat belts for older children; makes    the driver responsible for ensuring that children are    properly restrained; bans passengers from the cargo areas of    light trucks; includes out-of-state vehicles, drivers and    children; assesses a reasonable fine; and eliminates all    waivers and exemptions related to "attending to the    personal needs of the child," "exceeding the number    of available belts in the vehicle," etc. 

> 
In    addition to developing the model laws, NHTSA and its partners    have worked closely with the States to enact stronger child    safety seat laws. 

> 
The    **Air Bag Safety Campaign** and the **National    Association of Governors’ Highway Safety Representatives**are working with States to assist them in building    support networks, conducting public opinion surveys and    educating legislators on the importance of seat belt and    child passenger safety laws.

> 
Specifically,    the **Air Bag Safety Campaign** worked with **Illinois,    Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Ohio,    Washington, Arkansas,** and **Nevada** to    upgrade safety belt laws in their State legislatures. 

> 
To    respond to the President’s Directive to work with the    Congress and the States, DOT Secretary Slater sent letters to    all members of Congress and State Governors requesting their    support for standard (primary) seat belt legislation. To    date, the Department has received several letters of support    with information about State legislative activities. 

> 
As    part of the Department’s assistance to the States, NHTSA    provides customized materials, legislative testimony upon    request, and technical support for upgrading seat belt laws.    The Agency also provides computer software to allow States to    estimate the benefits of various levels of seat belt use.

**Active, High Visibility Law Enforcement******

> 
The    National Strategy’s third component is to conduct    active, **high visibility enforcement of seat belt laws**    to achieve higher seat belt use rates. The case for    conducting high visibility enforcement is well documented.    The increase in Canada’s seat belt use rate, after well    publicized enforcement efforts, is an excellent example of    enforcement success. Enforcement alone will not achieve the    increases in seat belt use called for in the *Seat Belt    Initiative*. However,*highly visible*    enforcement, which is enforcement combined with effective    media support, is more effective because the perceived risk    of receiving a seat belt citation is increased, even if the    actual risk is only slightly higher. Experience shows the    public will buckle up if they believe the police are    enforcing the law.

> 
**Operation    ABC**

> 
*Operation    ABC* (Always Buckle Children), a national effort by the **Air    Bag Safety Campaign,** was first conducted during *Buckle    Up America!* Week in May 1997. It was the first time in    the nation’s history that law enforcement in all 50    States and the District of Columbia were coordinated in a    drive to enforce seat belt and child passenger safety laws    over a concentrated period of time. 

> 
*Operation    ABC* encouraged law enforcement agencies across the    country to conduct high visibility enforcement of State seat    belt and child passenger safety laws. Tens of thousands of    officers from more than 1,000 law enforcement agencies    nationwide participated. Their activities were wide ranging,    from increasing the number of citations issued to drivers who    fail to buckle up children in their vehicles, to handing out    educational pieces about the lifesaving benefits of buckling    up, to conducting safety checkpoints, safety seat    inspections, and other high visibility enforcement activities    at designated sites. 

> 
*Operation    ABC*heightened the public’s awareness of seat belt    law enforcement efforts, with over 200 million people hearing    the Operation ABC message through intensive media coverage of    enforcement activity. All together there were over 450    national and local television news stories (in the 50 largest    markets and other targeted regions), over 300 stories in    daily newspapers, and 150 radio stories. 

> 
**NHTSA    Awards 18 Special Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.)    Grants**

> 
The    S.T.E.P. program is designed to increase public awareness of    seat belt use, intensify seat belt enforcement efforts, and    make sure the public is aware of the intensified enforcement.

> 
Participating    States conduct up to five enforcement "waves" over    the grant period. Each "wave" consists of the    following five components: seat belt use survey (pre-wave),    media campaign, media event announcing enforcement,    intensified enforcement effort, and seat belt survey    (post-wave) and publicity.

> 
A    S.T.E.P. program creates a general perception within the    State that there is an increased risk of being stopped for    not wearing a seat belt. This general perception can help    increase seat belt use across the entire State, even though    the actual risk of arrest may be only slightly higher.

> 
The    States participating in the S.T.E.P. Demonstration grant    program in 1997 are **Washington, Oregon, Utah,    Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin,    Michigan, Indiana, Mississippi, Connecticut, New Jersey,    Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia,**and **Florida.**

> 
**Air    Bag Safety Campaign Enforcement Grants**

> 
The    Air Bag Safety Campaign joined with NHTSA and awarded six    enforcement grants, similar to S.T.E.P. grants, to **Colorado,    Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Connecticut,** and **Georgia.**    These grants will serve as pilot enforcement programs, to    achieve similar results as North Carolina’s "Click    it or Ticket" campaign.

> 
**State    Programs**

> 
A    number of States have developed programs to increase seat    belt and child safety seat use. For example, the **Illinois**    State Police developed the Project "Star-999,"    which allows motorists with cellular phones to report    improperly restrained children.

> 
**Georgia**has renewed its "Operation Strap and Snap"    to deliver intensive highly visible resources to enforcing    its seat belt laws.

> 
**Oregon**    and**Washington**, in collaboration with the    Canadian Province of British Columbia, are increasing    emphasis in seat belt and child safety seats in their highly    successful Three Flags enforcement program.

> 
**Missouri’s**    Highway Patrol is affixing *Buckle Up America* bumper    stickers on all its patrol cars to show the department’s    support and to serve as role models.

> 
NHTSA    Dedicates Law Enforcement Liaisons to Address Presidential    Initiative 

> 
As    part of its strategic plan for promoting *Buckle Up    America*, each of the 10 NHTSA Regional Offices secured    the services of a law enforcement liaison, a current or    recently retired law enforcement officer with solid    experience in occupant protection enforcement and promotion.    An eleventh law enforcement liaison works out of NHTSA    headquarters to provide overall coordination.

> 
These    11 individuals are available to all law enforcement    organizations and associations within the region to provide    technical assistance in planning high visibility enforcement    campaigns, designing educational and outreach efforts for    police personnel, brokering an expanded role for law    enforcement in new partnerships, and fostering law    enforcement community support for improved laws. The    following are a few examples of the law enforcement liaison    officers efforts in just their first few weeks on the job:

> 
*Region    I* secured the endorsement of *Buckle Up America*    by the**New England Chiefs of Police Association.***Region    II*began planning a "Safe Communities Occupant    Protection" conference in cooperation with the **Hispanic    Federation in New York City.***Region III*delivered    training in *Traffic Occupant Protection Strategies*to    law enforcement officers in four States.

> 
*Region    IV* began development of an educational program focused    on minority groups, in cooperation with the **National    Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.***Region    V*brokered a meeting between Allstate Insurance and the**Illinois State Police**to explore expanding the    teenaged driver-targeted "Operation Cool" Program    to all States in the region.*Region VI* developed and    launched Program "CITATION," a recognition and    reward program for regional law enforcement agencies that    demonstrate excellence in traffic safety enforcement.

> 
*Region    VII* secured the agreement of the **Missouri    National Guard** to distribute *Buckle Up America*    materials to all 7,000 members. *Region VIII* met with    **Colorado**State Representative Gottlieb, at    her request, to provide a law enforcement perspective on    strategies for promoting her primary enforcement bill. *Region    IX* launched a partnership with the **California    Highway Patrol** and the State Office of Traffic    Safety to form a revitalized Seat Belt Task Force. And *Region    X* delivered a featured presentation at the Northwest    Tribal Law Enforcement Safety Conference to promote seat belt    enforcement by the forty Tribal police departments who were    represented at the conference.

> 
Training

> 
NHTSA    offers state of art training in occupant protection    technology, advocacy, and enforcement. To support the    enforcement training, a full time police instructor is    available to our partners through NHTSA’s cooperative    agreement with the Transportation Safety Institute in    Oklahoma City.

**Effective Public Education******

> 
The    fourth component of the National Strategy is to **expand    public education** on the benefits of seat belt and    child safety seat use and on the requirements of existing    occupant protection laws. Within the *BUA* campaign    model, public education includes activities such as high    visibility enforcement campaigns, promotional events,    employer programs, and community activities.

> 
In    addition, traffic safety diversity outreach programs are    being developed as part of a long range plan to encourage all    segments of our diverse society to ***BUCKLE UP!***

> 
Immediately    following Secretary Slater’s announcement of the *Seat    Belt Initiative*, work teams at NHTSA’s headquarters    and 10 regional offices developed a national implementation    plan which detailed hundreds of supporting activities. The    teams provided assistance to other groups and organizations    to develop specific strategies, activities, and programs that    will lead to meeting the President’s new national seat    belt use goals. 

> 
**Federal    Government Programs**

*DOT    Establishes Model Program for Federal Departments*

> 
In    support of the *BUA* campaign, the Department of    Transportation began implementation of its own internal    policy under the SAFEDOT *(Safety Awareness For Employees    of DOT)*Program. SAFEDOT is an internal cooperative    occupational safety and health education, awareness, and data    collection program focused on reducing employee injuries and    related costs within DOT. The program was initiated for DOT    in mid-November with a kickoff briefing of the    department’s Administrative Management Council. At this    meeting, each operating administration received materials and    direction for implementing the DOT seat belt policy within    their organizations.

> 
DOT    conducted a seat belt use survey of employees and contractors    who park in the headquarters building and established a    baseline seat belt use rate of 78 percent. 

> 
To    address the President’s new Executive Order regarding    seat belts, DOT’s Office of Contracts and Procurements    drafted language which will be added to the Federal    Acquisition Regulations (FAR). DOT developed a letter and    pledge which will be sent to over 5,000 of the    Department’s largest contractors and grant recipients    that encourages adoption of seat belt use policies and    programs and asks recipients to report their noteworthy    programs to DOT. 

> 
To    reach out to the nation, the Department distributed more than    10,000 copies of the *Presidential Initiative to Increase    Seat Belt Use Nationwide* to all fifty Governors, Members    of Congress, hundreds of national organizations, State    highway safety offices, citizen activist groups, media    outlets, and numerous other groups and organizations that    have an interest in reducing deaths and injuries or can    benefit directly from increasing seat belt use in America.

> 
Department    of the Interior

> 
In    response to the President’s Executive Order 13043 issued    on April 16, 1997, the Department of the Interior issued a    plan to increase seat belt use in national parks, Indian    Reservations, and other Federal areas. In this plan DOI    affirmed its intention to adopt and actively enforce seat    belt use in all national parks, to provide seat belt use data    to DOT annually, to encourage Tribal Governments to adopt and    actively enforce seat belt and child safety seat use laws,    and to implement and expand seat belt and child safety seat    education and training programs on Tribal lands.

> 
On    May 27, 1997, DOI issued an internal memorandum reviewing the    Executive Order 13043 and distributing the seat belt order    throughout their department. The memorandum also advises all    Assistant Directors of Administration of proposed revisions    to the DOI Property Management Directive 114-38 that will    incorporate the requirements of the Executive Order. On    November 19, 1997, the National Park Service (NPS) issued a    final rule in the Federal Register amending its regulations    concerning seat belt use within the units of NPS.

> 
Recently,    in response to the *BUA* Campaign, the Bureau of    Indian Affairs (BIA) conducted a survey sample of six tribes.    The alarming results revealed use as low as 3 percent and    only as high as 23 percent on the six reservations. These    rates clearly indicate that greater attention must be    directed to this simple, affordable method of preventing    injuries and fatalities in Indian Country.

> 
To    achieve the goals promoted in the *Buckle Up America*    Campaign, BIA funded eight Tribal Occupant Programs and    co-funded three Tribal Safe Community projects with the    States (two in **Washington,** and one in **Colorado**)    with section 402 funds. BIA’s Occupant Protection    program funds provide child safety seats and education    activities to increase usage. The BIA is also issuing a    periodic newsletter to share project information with all    Tribes. 

> 
Some    examples of current*initiatives* by the BIA, in    partnership with the Indian Health Service (IHS), NHTSA and    Tribal Governments include: support of The**North    Dakota** Native American Injury Prevention Coalition;    and an interagency agreement with the Indian Health Service    (IHS) to include a *Safe Tribal Communities Campaign for    American Indian and Alaska Native Youth*. 

> 
To    encourage and recognize youth traffic safety projects at the    national, State, and local levels, BIA, NHTSA, FHWA, IHS and    the CDC have formed an interagency steering committee to    coordinate highway safety and injury prevention program *initiatives.*    The committee first met in July 1997 and now convenes monthly    via conference call.

> 
National    Aeronautics and Space Administration

> 
The    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is    launching an effort to mobilize it’s Federal workforce.    The agency’s kickoff, conducted December 1997, featured    Vince and Larry, the seat belt crash dummy spokespersons.    Vince and Larry also attended a NASA senior staff meeting,    helped conduct a seat belt use survey in the NASA garage, and    conducted education efforts for NASA employees. 

> 
Department    of Defense

> 
Safety    Officers representing branches of the military attended a    two-day briefing with NHTSA staff to learn about the *Seat    Belt Initiative* and other highway safety issues. DOD has    indicated that they will maintain their extensive highway    safety programs and policies and will make adjustments to    comply with the new Executive Order, survey requirements and    general awareness through the *Buckle Up America*    campaign. 

> 
Additional    Federal Government Activity

> 
Since    last April, when the *Seat Belt Initiative* was    announced, NHTSA has received numerous calls requesting    guidance on implementation of the Executive Order.    Additionally, following a letter sent to all Federal    Departments and Agencies, over 30 agencies have identified a    contact for DOT to coordinate implementation of the program    and Executive Order. 

> 
**States    and Communities**

Grassroots    Respond to Buckle Up America

> 
Nearly    2,400 representatives from over 40 States and territories    participated in the October 6, 1997 launch of the *Buckle    Up America* campaign via 80 teleconference sites around    the country. Solid pledges of support for the campaign’s    goals and strategies were given by spokespersons from over    100 law enforcement agencies and dozens of **Safe Kids**    and *Safe Communities* coalitions, State and local    health departments and injury control agencies, business and    civic leaders, electronic and print media, fire departments    and emergency medical services providers, and many others.

> 
The    following are only a few illustrative examples of initiatives    that grew out of the October 6 launch of the campaign.

> 
**Georgia**Governor Zell Miller issued a Buckle Up Georgia    proclamation. The **Maine** State Transportation    Safety Coalition announced plans to endorse the campaign. In **New    Jersey**, the Volvo Corporation pledged to support    buckle up educational initiatives for 18-25 year olds. The **South    Carolina**State Hospital Association adopted the *Buckle    Up America* theme for its promotional programs. The **Washington**    State Insurance Council announced plans to distribute *Buckle    Up America* information through its membership network. 

> 
Expanded    and Innovative Partnerships

> 
The    NHTSA regional offices and State highway safety offices are    forging new partnerships with such non-traditional traffic    safety allies as churches, health maintenance organizations,    military installations, and social service clubs to form new    networks for delivering the *Buckle Up America*    message.

> 
Radio    Outreach to Rural Areas

> 
Several    NHTSA regional offices and their partner States developed    networks of rural radio stations that agreed to conduct    periodic call-in talk shows on seat belts, child safety seats    and related topics. Once the effectiveness of this format has    been demonstrated, it is expected to be adopted by all    regional offices.

> 
**Native    American Tribal Governments**

> 
Recognizing    the low usage rates found in the BIA survey of six Tribes,    other examples within the Indian Nations demonstrate that    given proper information, training, and understanding of the    issue, dramatic changes can be achieved. The following are    examples of individual tribes who have established and    enforced seat belt laws on their reservations.

> 
By    executing seat belt initiatives, the Navajos have raised seat    belt use from 8 percent in 1988 to 78 percent today. Indian    Health Service hospital data reveals that the Navajo motor    vehicle-related discharge rate has decreased 50 percent in    the last decade. Other Tribes such as the Wyandotte Tribe in **Oklahoma,**the Pueblo of Zuni in **New Mexico**,    and the Umatilla Tribe in **Washington** have    raised their usage rates to 70 and 80 percent, respectively,    by conducting seat belt programs on Tribal lands.

> 
NHTSA    has begun a partnering initiative with other agencies and    individual Tribal Governments to replicate these gains. Also,    the expanding network of Safe Tribal Communities programs    provides an important new framework for promoting belt use as    part of the total injury prevention effort.

> 
NHTSA    addressed the *BUA* campaign at several Tribal forums    including the Aberdeen Area Chairmen’s Council, the    North Dakota Tribal Conference, the United South and Eastern    Tribes Annual Conference, and the Washington State Native    American Traffic Safety Conference. IHS sponsored an open    forum discussion on the *BUA* campaign and other    injury prevention issues on November 18 and invited various    agencies to participate. On December 4, FHWA, NHTSA, and IHS,    representatives also met with BIA Transportation Engineers to    promote and discuss their role in building Safe Tribal    Communities programs and the *BUA* campaign. 

> 
**Clinton    Administration Participation**

> 
The    Clinton Administration has made the *Buckle Up America*    campaign a priority for the Administration, the Federal    Government, and the nation.

> 
Since    assuming office in 1993, President Clinton has publicly    supported highway safety initiatives. In 1996, the President    dedicated two of his weekly radio addresses to alert the    American public of the potential dangers to children and    adults when they are not properly restrained in motor    vehicles.

> 
Since    directing the Secretary of Transportation to prepare the *Seat    Belt Initiative*, the President and his Administration    have continued to play an active role in helping to reach the    national goals. Highlighting some of the more notable    activities:

> 
President    and Vice-President

> 
President    Clinton signed Executive Order 13043,*Increasing Seat    Belt Use in the United States*, which requires seat belt    use by Federal employees on-the-job. The Executive Order    directs that all occupants of motor vehicles in a national    park area or on a defense installation be properly restrained    as required by law. The Executive Order also recommends the    adoption of seat belt policies and programs by federal    contractors, grantees, and Tribal Governments.

> 
President    Clinton signed a letter of support and encouragement for    inclusion in a NHTSA Safe & Sober planner kit,    distributed to 50,000 national, State, and local groups and    organizations interested in highway safety issues.

> 
President    Clinton provided a video message to introduce the new *Buckle    Up America* campaign at the DOT roll-out. 

Vice-President    Gore produced two public service announcements in support of    increasing seat belt and child safety seat use.

Department    of Transportation Secretary and Deputy Secretary

Secretary    Slater addressed numerous groups on the *Seat Belt    Initiative* including the **U.S. Conference of    Mayors,** the **National Association of Counties**,    and the**Political Congress of Black Women.**

Secretary    Slater participated in several media events, including the    White House’s announcement of the *Seat Belt    Initiative*, *Buckle Up America*! Week, and    various follow-up events.

Secretary    Slater sent dozens of letters to law enforcement and    professional sports officials asking for support of the *Seat    Belt Initiative*.

Deputy    Secretary Mortimer Downey addressed the *Seat Belt    Initiative* and the President’s Executive Order with    groups like the President’s Management Council, which is    comprised of other Departmental Secretaries. 

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**Future Plans and Activities******

As    the first anniversary of the *Seat Belt Initiative*    and its *Buckle Up America* campaign approaches, the    progress made is clear and unmistakable. However, continued    efforts are needed for America to achieve the national goals    of 85 percent seat belt use and the reduction of child    related fatalities (0-4 years old) by 15 percent by the year    2000. Most important, every person in America must take    personal responsibility by buckling up and by properly    securing children in vehicles.

Over    the next year, implementation of the *BUA* campaign    will continue. The strategies described in the *Seat Belt    Initiative* and in this report for **Partnerships,    Legislation, Enforcement,**and**Education**    will grow by moving from a national plan to a community    standard. For instance, national organizations will work with    State affiliates. State affiliates will work with local    chapters. Employers working with NETS will seek and assist    additional employers to join in local efforts. In the    movement toward implementation at the local level, support    will increase through partnership growth.

Nationally,    the Federal Government, private sector, and national    organizations will disseminate the message and information to    their constituencies and will continue to provide support to    State and local programs. NHTSA will take the lead and will    work closely with the campaign partners to assure that    materials are current and relevant, and that *initiatives*,    such as enforcement efforts and legislation upgrades, move    forward.

NHTSA,    through focus group testing, building partnerships, and    continuously seeking input and support from outside groups    and organizations, will increase its understanding of the    public’s perception of seat belt use, and will evaluate    what types of messages will be most effective in convincing    part-time and non-users of seat belts to buckle up. 

In    1998, a "Network of Champions," comprising national    leaders from business, professional sports, minority    organizations, media professionals, medical and health    communities, and government will be formed and will commit to    serve as national spokespersons for the *BUA*    campaign.

These    "Champions" will write letters, recruit new    partners, implement programs within their own constituencies,    and will speak on the importance of buckling up and properly    restraining children in the back seat of automobiles.

Each    community, understanding its own problems, capabilities, and    resources, will have the opportunity to design its own    programs to increase seat belt and child safety seat use by    using the tools and resources provided by the *BUA*    Campaign. 

*Based    on a recent survey (August 10 to September 9, 1997) **Georgia****announced that the use rate is now 68 percent for front seat    occupants of passenger cars. This represents a 17 percentage    point increase from the seat belt use surveyed in May 1996    — 51 percent, just prior to the effective date of the    State’s change to primary enforcement on July 1, 1996*
These    activities will lead to additional upgrades of secondary seat    belt use laws to primary by the States. Child passenger    safety laws will continue to be upgraded to include all    seating positions and include ages up to 16 years old,    similar to **Virginia’s** new 1997 law. The    networking and building of partnerships will continue and it    is expected that the public will be more receptive to law    enforcement issuing seat belt citations.

States    such as **Oklahoma** and **Maryland,**    which recently passed primary legislation will have had a    chance to implement full education and enforcement programs    in support of their new laws.

Combined    with these new legislative efforts, the ABSC, in partnership    with NHTSA, will conduct nationwide media campaigns and    continuegrants to six States to increase enforcement of    existing seat belt laws. 

In    addition, *Operation ABC ’98* will be one of the    most significant seat belt and child passenger enforcement    efforts to date. The **Air Bag Safety Campaign,**    in partnership with the **International Association of    Chiefs of Police**, is calling on every law    enforcement agency in the country to take advantage of this    national mobilization - May 18-25, 1998.

These    new efforts, combined with the anticipated passing of the    NEXTEA legislation that provides for additional incentive    funding for increasing seat belt use and the cumulative    efforts of hundreds of other national, State and local    partners, should produce significant progress toward meeting    the national goal of 85 percent belt use by 2000.

In    September 1998 the Department of Transportation will submit    new reports to the President and Congress summarizing    activity during the first year since development of the seat    belt plan (April 1997). 

Items    that will be addressed in the September reports will include:    

 
- Report on 1997 belt use in the U.S. 
- Report on 1997 child passenger (0-4                years) fatalities 
- Status report on seat belt Executive                Order  
- Roll-out of Safety Awareness for                Employees of DOT (SAFEDOT)program 
- Recommendations of the seat belt                leadership conference 
- Implementation of *BUA*                national recognition program. 

 

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*"We    have an unprecedented opportunity to save lives, prevent    injuries, reduce health care and other costs, and improve the    lives of all Americans — simply by increasing proper    seat belt and child safety seat use. But to do this we must    be bold and reach beyond ’business as usual.’ Bold    goals will require commitment and cooperation from everyone    living in the United States. America **can** do this."*
 

Rodney E. Slater 

Secretary of Transportation 

.