DOT HS 811 527 November 2011

Occupant Restraint Use in 2010

Results From the 

National Occupant Protection Use Survey 

Controlled Intersection Study
This publication is distributed by the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 

in the interest of information exchange. The opinions, findings 

and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of 

the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Department 

of Transportation or the National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration. The United States Government assumes no 

liability for its content or use thereof. If trade or manufacturers’ 

names or products are mentioned, it is because they are considered 

essential to the object of the publication and should not be 

construed as an endorsement. The United States Government 

does not endorse products or manufacturers. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Report Documentation Page 

1. Report No. 

DOT HS 811 527 

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. 

4. Title and Subtitle 

Occupant Restraint Use in 2010: Results From the National Occupant 

Protection Use Survey Controlled Intersection Study 

5. Report Date 

November 2011 

6. Performing Organization Code 

NVS-421 

7. Author(s) 

Timothy M. Pickrell * and Tony Jianqiang Ye† 

8. Performing Organization Report No. 

9. Performing Organization Name 

Mathematical Analysis Division, National Center for Statistics and Analysis 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. 

Washington, DC 20590 

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) 

11. Contract or Grant No. 

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 

Mathematical Analysis Division, National Center for Statistics and Analysis 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. 

Washington, DC 20590 

13. Type of Report and Period Covered 

NHTSA Technical Report 

14. Sponsoring Agency Code 

15. Supplementary Notes 

* Mathematical Statistician, Mathematical Analysis Division, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA 

† Statistician, Bowhead Systems Management Inc., contractor working at NHTSA 

Abstract 

This report presents results from the 2010 National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) Controlled 

Intersection Study. NOPUS is the only nationwide probability-based occupant restraint use survey. This survey is 

conducted annually by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration. The 2010 NOPUS found that seat belt use in rear seats increased significantly from 70 percent in 

2009 to 74 percent in 2010. Significant increases in rear-seat belt use in 2010 occurred in the following passenger 

categories: male passengers, passengers 16 to 24 years old, passengers 25 to 69 years old, and passengers who were 

members of other races. Restraint use for all children from birth to 7 years old stood at 89 percent in 2010 as 

compared to 88 percent in 2009. The 2010 restraint use rates for children from birth to 1 year old, children 1 to 3 

years old, and children 4 to 7 years old, are 99 percent, 94 percent, and 83 percent respectively. Child restraint use 

continued to be higher in the West than in the other regions. 

17. Key Words 

Seat belt use, child restraint use, observational 

survey, demographics, rear-seat seat belt use, 

occupant protection, NOPUS, controlled 

intersections, premature graduation, car seat 

18. Distribution Statement 

Document is available to the public from the National 

Technical Information Service www.ntis.gov. 

19. Security Classif. (of this report) 

Unclassified 

20. Security Classif. (of this page) 

Unclassified 

21. No. of Pages 

30 

22. Price 

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

i 
 

TABLE of CONTENTS 

Executive Summary		 v
 

1.		 Introduction 1
 

2.		 Demographic Results 2
 

Age 2
 

Gender 3
 

Race 3
 

Presence of Passengers and Seat Belt Use 4
 

3.		 Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats 6
 

Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats Increased Significantly in 2010 6
 

Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats Versus in Front Seats 6
 

State Laws and Rear-Seat Belt Use 7
 

4.		 Child Restraint Use 9
 

Child Restraint Use among All Children Age Under 8 9
 

Child Restraint Use by Age 9
 

Child Rear Seat Placement 10
 

Child Restraint Use by Region 11
 

Child Restraint Use by Driver Belt Status 11
 

5.		 NOPUS Methodology 15
 

Sample Design 15
 

Data Collection 16
 

Estimation 17
 

6.		 References 18
 

Appendix: Definitions		 19
 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis	 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

ii
	
 

TABLE of FIGURES
 

Figure 1: Seat Belt Use by Age for Occupants 8 and Older in 2009 and 2010 ............................................. 2
 

Figure 2: Seat Belt Use by Age for Occupants 8 and Older, 2002-2010........................................................ 3
 

Figure 3: Seat Belt Use by Gender for Occupants 8 and Older, 2002-2010.................................................. 3
 

Figure 4: Seat Belt Use by Race for Occupants 8 and Older, 2005-2010......................................................4
 

Figure 5: Passenger Effect on Seat Belt Use for Occupants 8 and Older, 2004-2010................................... 4
 

Figure 6: Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats Increased Significantly in 2010 .......................................................... 6
 

Figure 7: Seat Belt Use by Seating Position for Occupants 8 and Older, 2004-2010....................................7
 

Figure 8: Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats by State Law Type for Occupants 8 and Older, 2005-2010 ............... 8
 

Figure 9: Child Restraint Use Among Children Age Under 8, 2002-2010 ..................................................... 9
 

Figure 10: Child Restraint Use by Age (Data Source: 2010 NOPUS) ...........................................................10
 

Figure 11: Child Rear Seat Placement, 2002 - 2010....................................................................................10
 

Figure 12: Child Restraint Use by Region, 2004-2010.................................................................................11
 

Figure 13: Child Restraint Use by Driver Belt Status, 2004-2010................................................................11
 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

iii 
 

 

Table 1: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Seat Belt Use by Demographic and Other Characteristics ............... 5
 

Table 2: States With Laws Requiring Seat Belts Be Used in All Seating Positions ....................................... 7
 

Table 3: Seat Belt Use in the Rear Seat of Passenger Vehicles, by Major Characteristics............................8
 

Table 4: States With Laws Requiring Children Age 5 and Younger Be in the Rear Seat.............................11
 

Table 5: Child Restraint Use in Passenger Motor Vehicles, by Major Characteristics................................12
 

Table 6: The Percent of Children Who Rode in the Rear Seat, by Major Characteristics...........................13
 

Table 7: Child Restraint Use in Passenger Motor Vehicles, by Age and Other Characteristics ..................14
 

Table 8: Sites, Vehicles and Occupants in the 2010 NOPUS .......................................................................16
 

LIST OF TABLES
 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

iv 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary 

The National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) is the only nationwide probability-based 

survey of seat belt use (for occupants 8 and older in both front and rear seats), motorcycle helmet use, 

child restraint use (for children less than 8 years old), and driver electronic device use in the United 

States. It is conducted annually by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NOPUS is comprised of two sub-surveys: the Moving Traffic 

Survey and the Controlled Intersection (CI) Study. 

In the CI study, occupants of passenger vehicles without commercial or government markings are 

observed from the roadside at intersections controlled by stop signs or stop lights. Only stopped vehicles 

are observed to allow ample time to collect a variety of information required by the survey. NOPUS 

derives its estimates of seat belt use in rear seats, child restraint use, driver electronic device use, and 

demographic characteristics of vehicle occupants from the CI study. 

This report presents results of occupant restraint use from the 2010 National Occupant Protection Use 

Survey Controlled Intersection Study. NHTSA will publish driver electronic device use results in a 

separate report. 

The following are some of the major findings from the 2010 NOPUS Controlled Intersection Study: 

Rear Seats: 

 Seat belt use in rear seats increased significantly from 70 percent in 2009 to 74 percent 

in 2010. 

	 The significant increase in seat belt use in rear seats in 2010 occurred in a number of 

passenger categories, including male passengers, passengers 16 to 24 years old, 

passengers 25 to 69 years old, and passengers who are members of other races. 

Front Seats: 

 Seat belt use continued to be lower among 16- to 24-year-olds than other age groups. 

 Seat belt use continued to be lower among males than females. 

 Seat belt use continued to be lower among black occupants than occupants of the other 

race groups. 

 Seat belt use continued to be lower among drivers driving alone than among drivers with 

passengers. 

Child Restraint Use: 

 Restraint use for children from birth to 7 years old stood at 89 percent in 2010 as 

compared to 88 percent in 2009. 

 In 2010, 99 percent of infants, 94 percent of children 1 to 3 years old, and 83 percent of 

children 4 to 7 years old were restrained, either appropriately or inappropriately. 

 About 93 percent of children under 8 rode in the rear seats of vehicles in 2010. 

 Child restraint use continued to be higher in the West than in the other regions in 2010. 

 Restraint use for children driven by belted drivers continued to be higher than for those 

driven by unbelted drivers. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

v 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

vi 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Introduction 

The National Occupant Protection Use Survey is the only nationwide probability-based survey of seat 

belt use (for occupants 8 and older in both front and rear seats), motorcycle helmet use, child restraint 

use (for children less than 8 years old), and driver electronic device use in the United States. It is 

conducted annually by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration. NOPUS is comprised of two sub-surveys: Moving Traffic (MT) Survey and 

Controlled Intersection (CI) Study. 

In the MT survey, the shoulder belt use data of front-seat occupants and helmet use data of motorcyclists 

is collected by observing passenger vehicle occupants either at the roadside or, in the case of 

expressways, while riding in a vehicle in traffic. NOPUS derives its major estimates of front-seat belt 

use and motorcycle helmet use from the MT survey. NHTSA published the results from the 2010 

NOPUS MT survey in late 2010.1 2 In contrast, the CI study data is collected at intersections controlled 

by stop signs or stoplights, where vehicle occupants are observed from the roadside. Only the stopped 

vehicles are observed due to time constraints restricting the amount of time available to collect the 

variety of information required by the survey. NOPUS derives its estimates of rear-seat belt use, child 

restraint use, driver electronic device use, and demographic characteristics of the vehicle occupants from 

the CI study. 

Only motorcycles and passenger vehicles without commercial or government markings are observed by 

the NOPUS (NOPUS does not record restraint use data for occupants of commercial vehicles, buses, 

taxis, or emergency vehicles). The population of interest includes all 50 States, the District of Columbia, 

with the sample observation sites consisting of Federal, State, county highways, residential streets, and 

rural roads. Data is collected only during daylight hours when light is adequate to observe seat belt use 

through the vehicle windshield. 

The 2010 NOPUS data collection was conducted between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the period from June 

7, 2010, to June 26, 2010. The 2010 NOPUS survey data is based on the results of 69,747 occupants 

observed in the 49,475 vehicles at the 1,446 data collection sites. Of these observed occupants, 3,914 

were children under 8. More details on the NOPUS sampling, data collection and estimation are 

discussed in Section 5: NOPUS Methodology. 

The purpose of this report is to present occupant restraint use results from the 2010 National Occupant 

Protection Use Survey Controlled Intersection Study. NHTSA will publish results on driver electronic 

device use in a separate report. In the years prior to 2009, NHTSA usually presented the results from the 

NOPUS CI study through three or four Research Notes, each of which covers one specific topic. This 

2010 report, like its 2009 counterpart,3 will pool together as much data as possible from the 2010 

NOPUS CI study for the convenience of data users. However, in order to be consistent with the 

publications released by NHTSA in the years before 2009, sections in this report are arranged to cover 

similar topics to those in the Research Notes published previously.4 5 6 

Please note that the terms “significant” and “statistically significant” are used interchangeably 

throughout this report. “Significant” always means “statistically significant” and the statistical 

significance level is chosen to be 0.1. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

1 
 

 

 

2009 2010 

Seat Belt Use

100% 

80% 

60% 

40% 

20% 

0% 

84% 84% 81% 79% 84% 86% 86% 88% 

Age 8-15 Age 16-24 Age 25-69 Age 70 and Older 

2. Demographic Results 

Seat belt use nationwide was 85 percent in 2010, a slight gain from the 2009 use rate of 84 percent. This 

section presents the demographic breakdown of the occupants who used seat belts in 2010. 

Although the NOPUS CI data is collected solely from vehicles stopped at intersections controlled by 

stop signs or stoplights, the estimates in this publication concerning seat belt use in the front seat reflect 

use by occupants in transit on all types of roadways. This is accomplished by making adjustments using 

data from the MT survey that observes seat belt use in vehicles in transit on general roadways. 

Table 1 on page 5 presents results of passenger vehicle occupant seat belt use by demographic and other 

characteristics in 2009 and 2010, as well as the changes between the two years. Some major results are 

highlighted below. 

Age 

In 2010, there was no significant change in the seat belt use as compared to 2009 across all four age 

groups of occupants: 8 to 15 years old, 16 to 24 years old, 25 to 69 years old and 70 and older. Figure 1 

shows a comparison of the seat belt use rates between 2009 and 2010 among occupants of these age 

groups. 

 Figure 1: Seat Belt Use by Age for Occupants 8 and Older in 2009 and 2010 

Figure 2 displays the trends of seat belt use for the four age groups over a period of 9 years (2002 to 

2010). It shows that in 2010, seat belt use continued to be lower among 16- to 24-year-olds than other 

age groups. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

2 
       

       

       

     

100% 

90% Age 8 to 15

69% 

82% 

75% 

81% 

77% 

88% 

78% 

84% 

76% 

85% 

77% 

88% 

80% 

84% 

81% 

86% 

79% 

88% 

Seat Belt Use 80% Age 16 t o 2 4

70% 

60% 

Age 25 t o 6 9

Age 70 a nd Olde r

50%
 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
 

100% 

84% 84% 85% 86% 86% 87% 88% 

79% 

83% 

72% 

77% 77% 

80% 78% 79% 81% 81% 83% 

90% 

80% 

70%

Seat Belt Use 

Females

Males 60% 

50% 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

 

Figure 2: Seat Belt Use by Age for Occupants 8 and Older, 2002-2010 

This figure also shows that in 2010 the seat belt use for occupants 70 and older was 88 percent, which is 

significantly higher than the other age groups. 

Gender 

Figure 3 shows the trends of seat belt use among male and female occupants over a period of 9 years 

(2002 to 2010). In 2010, seat belt use continued to be lower among males (83%) than females (88%). 

Figure 3: Seat Belt Use by Gender for Occupants 8 and Older, 2002-2010 

Race 

In NOPUS, the race of vehicle occupants is recorded as: black, white, and members of other races. The 

characterization is based on the visual assessment by the data collectors who observe vehicle occupants 

from roadsides. 

Figure 4 shows the trends of seat belt use among occupants who are white, black, and members of other 

races over a period of 6 years (2005 to 2010). In 2010, seat belt use continued to be lower among black 

occupants than occupants of the other race groups. Seat belt use for members of other races was 

significantly higher than the complementary group (white and black occupants combined). 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

3
	
   

100% 

W hite 90% 

82% 

78% 

83% 

81% 

75% 

88% 

83% 

75% 

88% 

83% 84% 85% 

75% 

79% 78% 

89% 91% 92% 

Black

Members o f
 

O ther races
 

Seat Belt Use 80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

100% 

78% 

83% 

81% 

85% 

83% 

87% 

82% 

86% 

82% 

87% 

83% 

87% 

85% 

88% 

90% 

80% 

70%

Seat Belt Use 

N o

Passenger

60% 

50% 

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

Figure 4: Seat Belt Use by Race for Occupants 8 and Older, 2005-2010 

Presence of Passengers and Seat Belt Use 

Figure 5 displays a clear pattern that seat belt use continued to be lower among drivers driving alone than 

among drivers driving with passengers. 

Figure 5: Passenger Effect on Seat Belt Use for Occupants 8 and Older, 2004-2010 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

4
	
1 Occupant Group

2009 2010 2009-2010 Change 

Belt 

Use2 

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low in 

Group3 

Belt 

Use2 

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low in 

Group3 

Change in 

Percentage 

Points 

Confidence in 

a Change in 

Percentage4 

All Occupants 

5 Males

Females5 

Occupants by Age Group5 

Age 8 to 15 

Age 16 to 24 

Age 25 to 69 

Age 70 and Older 

Occupants by Race5 

White 

Black 

Members of Other Races 

Drivers With 

No Passengers 

At Least One Passenger 

Drivers With 

No Passengers 

Passengers All Under Age 8 

Passengers All Age 8 and Older 

Some Passengers Under Age 8 and Some 

Age 8 or Older 

Drivers Age 16-24 With 

No Passengers 

Passengers All Age 16-24 

At Least One Passenger Not Age 16-24 

Occupants Age 16-24 When 

All Occupants Are Age 16-24 

At Least One Occupant Is Not Age 16-24 

84% 

81% 

87% 

 

84% 

81% 

84% 

86% 

 

84% 

79% 

91% 

 

83% 

87% 

 

83% 

88% 

87% 

90% 

 

83% 

80% 

83% 

 

81% 

81% 

 

100% 

100% 

 

58% 

98% 

90% 

94% 

 

75% 

99% 

100% 

 

100% 

100% 

 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

 

85% 

91% 

51% 

 

53% 

53% 

85% 

83% 

88% 

 

84% 

79% 

86% 

88% 

 

85% 

78% 

92% 

 

85% 

88% 

 

85% 

89% 

88% 

90% 

 

79% 

77% 

86% 

 

78% 

84% 

 

100% 

100% 

 

74% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

 

54% 

100% 

100% 

 

100% 

100% 

 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

 

76% 

87% 

100% 

 

100% 

100% 

1 

2 

1 

 

0 

-2 

2 

2 

 

1 

-1 

1 

 

2 

1 

 

2 

1 

1 

0 

 

-4 

-3 

3 

 

-3 

3 

75% 

78% 

51% 

 

1% 

52% 

87% 

86% 

 

81% 

29% 

63% 

 

74% 

71% 

 

74% 

50% 

68% 

11%

 

87% 

51% 

50% 

 

80% 

67% 

1 Drivers and right-front passengers of passenger vehicles with no commercial or government markings. 2 Use of shoulder belts observed between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. 

 3 The statistical confidence that use in the occupant group (e.g., occupants who are members of other races) is higher or lower
	

than use in the corresponding complementary occupant groups (e.g., combined black and white occupants). Confidences that 

meet or exceed 90 percent are formatted in boldface type. Confidences are rounded to the nearest percentage point, and so 

confidences reported as “100 percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100 percent. 4 The degree of statistical confidence that the 2010 use rate is different from the 2009 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90 

percent are formatted in boldface type. 

 5 The age, gender, and racial classifications are based on the subjective assessments of roadside observers.
	

Source: NOPUS 

Table 1: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Seat Belt Use by Demographic and Other Characteristics 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

5 
 

 

 

 

 

70% 67% 66% 64% 66%

74% 73% 73% 71%

79%

0% 

20% 

40% 

60% 

80% 

100% 

2009 2010 

Seat Belt Use in Rear

Seats 

All Passengers Males Age 16-24 Age 25-69 Members of Other Races 

3. Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats 

Not all vehicles on the road today have shoulder belts in the rear seats. Based on the 2009 vehicle 

registration data from the National Vehicle Population Profile, R.L. Polk & Co., an estimated 90 percent 

of passenger vehicles on the road have shoulder belts in the rear outboard seating positions. Of the 10 

percent of vehicles that have only lap belts in the rear outboard seats, all rear-seat vehicle occupants are 

counted by NOPUS as not using shoulder belts, regardless of whether they are using lap belts. 

Consequently, NOPUS rear-seat shoulder belt use estimates reflect both the degree to which vehicle 

occupants use restraints and the availability of shoulder belts in these seating positions. 

Please note that rear-seat occupants might be underestimated in NOPUS because NOPUS only observes 

up to two passengers in the second row of seats and none in the third row and beyond. 

Table 3 on page 8 presents results of seat belt use in the rear seat of passenger vehicles in 2009 and 2010 

as well as the changes between the two years. Some major results are highlighted below. 

Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats Increased Significantly in 2010 

As shown in Figure 6, seat belt use in rear seats among all passengers 8 and older increased significantly 

from 70 percent in 2009 to 74 percent in 2010. 

The significant increases in seat belt use in rear seats in 2010 also occurred in a number of passenger 

categories, including male passengers, passengers 16 to 24 years old, passengers 25 to 69 years old, and 

passengers who are members of other races. Figure 6 also shows the increases in these categories. 

Figure 6: Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats Increased Significantly in 2010 

Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats Versus in Front Seats 

Figure 7 displays the trends of seat belt use in rear and front seats over a period of 7 years (2004 to 

2010). It shows that, as in the previous years, seat belt use in 2010 was lower in the rear seat than in the 

front seat. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

6 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

7

State Laws and Rear-Seat Belt Use 

At the time the 2010 NOPUS survey was conducted, 24 States and the District of Columbia required all 

vehicle occupants 18 and older to use seat belts when riding in the rear seat. Since July 1, 2009, rear-seat 

seat belt use laws have been enacted in Louisiana, Texas, New Jersey and Kansas. New Jersey’s law took 

effect in January 2011. Table 2 provides a list of these States. 

Figure 8 shows the trends of rear-seat belt use among passengers in the States with or without laws 

requiring belt use in all seating positions over a period of six years (2005 to 2010). As in the previous 

years, seat belt use in rear seats in 2010 was higher in the States with laws requiring belt use in all seating 

positions (79%) than in the States requiring belt use only in the front seat (69%). 

Table 2: States With Laws Requiring Seat Belts Be Used in All Seating 

Positions 

Alaska California Delaware 

District of Columbia Idaho Indiana 

Kansas Kentucky Louisiana 

Maine Massachusetts Minnesota 

Montana Nevada New Mexico 

North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island 

South Carolina Texas Utah 

Vermont Washington Wisconsin 

Wyoming 

States with laws in effect as of June 30, 2010, requiring people 18 and older to use seat belts in all 

seating positions. Also includes the District of Columbia. The rear-seat seat belt use laws took 

effect in Louisiana, Texas, and Kansas during the period July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010. 

In Front Seats

In Rear Seats

80% 82% 81% 82% 83% 84% 85%

47%

68% 65%

76% 74% 70% 74%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Seat Belt Use

Figure 7: Seat Belt Use by Seating Position for Occupants 8 and Older, 2004-2010 
2009 2010 2009-2010 Change 

1 Passenger Group 2 Belt Use

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low in 3 Group

2 Belt Use

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low in 3 Group

Change in 

Percentage 

Points 

Confidence 

in a Change 

in 4 Percentage

All Passengers 5 Males5 Females70% 

67% 

72% 

99% 

99% 

74% 

73% 

74% 

78% 

78% 

4

6 

2 

91% 

96% 

59% 5 Passengers by Age Group 

Age 8 to 15 76% 100% 75% 79% -1 20% 

Age 16 to 24 66% 99% 73% 57% 7 97% 

Age 25 to 69 64% 100% 71% 94% 7 92% 

Age 70 and Older 5 Passengers by Race 

White 

82% 

73% 

99% 

100% 

81% 

75% 

97% 

97% 

-1 

2 

11% 

69% 

Black 56% 100% 53% 100% -3 34% 

Members of Other Races 66% 81% 79% 96% 13 98% 

Passengers in States With Laws Requiring 

Belts Be Used 

In All Seating Positions 

In the Front Seat Only 

78% 

64% 

100% 

100% 

79% 

69% 

99% 

99% 

1 

5 

71% 

91% 

   

       

   

       

   

Seat Belt Use in Rear

Seats 

100% 

90% 

76%
 

64%
 

69%
 

64%
 

88%
 

69%
 

85%
 

66%
 

78%
 

64%
 

79%
 

69%
 

States Requiring
 

Belt Use in All
 80% Seating Positions

70% 

States Requiring

Belt Use Only in

the Front Seat

60% 

50%
 

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 8: Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats by State Law Type for Occupants 8 and Older, 2005-2010 

Table 3: Seat Belt Use in the Rear Seat of Passenger Vehicles, by Major Characteristics 

1 Up to two passengers observed in the second row of seats in passenger vehicles with no commercial or government markings.
	 2 Use of shoulder belts observed between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
	 3 The statistical confidence that use in the passenger group (e.g., passengers who are members of other races) is higher or lower 

than use in the corresponding complementary passenger groups (e.g., combined black and white passengers). Confidences that 

meet or exceed 90 percent are formatted in boldface type. Confidences are rounded to the nearest percentage point, and so 

confidences reported as “100 percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100.0 percent. 4 The degree of statistical confidence that the 2010 use rate is different from the 2009 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90
	

percent are formatted in boldface type.

5 The age, gender, and racial classifications are based on the subjective assessments of roadside observers.
	

Source: NOPUS
	

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

8 
 

 

 

Restraint Use among

Children Age < 8 

100% 

90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

88% 

82% 82% 84% 89% 87% 88% 89% 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

4. Child Restraint Use 

In 2010, NOPUS continued to collect roadside observational data on child restraint use for all children 

under 8 years old. Table 5 on page 12 presents results of child restraint use in passenger motor vehicles 

by major characteristics in 2009 and 2010 as well as the changes between the two years. Table 7 on page 

14 divides the occupants into three age groups and reports restraint use by some other characteristics 

among these groups. Table 6 on page 13 presents results on child rear placement by major characteristics 

in 2009 and 2010 as well as the changes between the two years. Some of the major results of child 

restraint use are discussed below. 

Child Restraint Use among All Children Age Under 8 

Figure 9 shows the trend of child restraint use since 2002. It shows that the restraint use among all 

children age under 8 stood at 89 percent in 2010 as compared to 88 percent in 2009. 

Figure 9: Child Restraint Use Among Children Under Age 8, 2002-2010 

Child Restraint Use by Age 

Before 2007, NHTSA published the child restraint use rates by age based on the data from the NOPUS. 

For the years 2007, 2008, and 2009, however, NHTSA’s published estimates of child restraint use by age 

came from the National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats (NSUBS). As explained in NHTSA’s reports 

and research notes in previous years,3 6 7 since information about age is obtained by interviews in NSUBS 

and through visual assessment in NOPUS, the former is more accurate. For more details of the NSUBS, 

please refer to the NHTSA technical report “The 2009 National Survey of the Use of Booster Use,”8 

which is available at the Web site http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/CMSWeb/index.aspx. 

However, in 2010, no NSUBS was conducted. Thus, child restraint use rates from the 2010 NOPUS are 

reported here. Please note that since the rates are based on two different datasets, comparison of the 2009 

and 2010 child restraint use rates by age should be avoided. 

As shown in Figure 10, 99 percent of children from birth to 12 months, 94 percent of children 1 to 3 years 

old, and 83 percent children 4 to 7 years old were restrained in 2010. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

9 
Child            Restraint Use Ratesfrom 2010 NOPUS

99% 94% 

83% 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Restraint Use among

Children Age < 8 in 2010

From Birth to 12 Months Age 1 to 3 Years Age 4 to 7 Years 

 

       

      

   

   

Percentage Who Were in

the Rear Seat 

100% 

90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
 

All Children Age < 8

Children Age < 1

Children Age 1‐3

Children Age 4‐7

Figure 10: Child Restraint Use by Age (Data Source: 2010 NOPUS) 

Child Rear Seat Placement 

Figure 11 shows the trends of rear seat placement of children under 8 between 2002 and 2010. 

The 2010 NOPUS found that 93 percent of children under 8 rode in the rear seats of vehicles. Of all the 

infants (from birth to 12 months), 97 percent rode in the rear seat. Ninety-nine percent of 1- to 3-year-olds 

and 89 percent of 4- to 7-year-old children were in the rear seats in 2010. 

Figure 11: Child Rear Seat Placement, 2002 - 2010 

At the time the 2010 survey was conducted, 9 States required children 5 and younger who weighed less 

than 80 pounds and were less than 54 inches tall to ride in the rear seats of vehicles. Table 4 lists the 

States with child rear placement laws. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

10
	
 

100% 93% 94% 93% 95% 93% 91%

Restraint Use among

Children Age < 8 

90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

84% 

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

     

     

100% 

Restraint Use among

Children Age < 8 90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

86% 85% 87% 

92% 92% 91% 92% 

50% 

60% 58% 61% 

54% 

66% 64% 

D rive n by a

Be lted

D rive r

D rive n by a n

Unbelted

50% D rive r

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

Table 4: States With Laws Requiring Children 5 and Younger Be in the Rear 

Seat* 

California Georgia Maine 

New Jersey Rhode Island South Carolina 

Tennessee Washington Wyoming 

* Among children less than 80 pounds and less than 54” tall. States with laws in effect as of June 30, 

2010. In no other States did such laws take effect during the period July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010. In 

Delaware, children 11 and younger and 65 inches or less must be the rear seat if passenger air bag is 

active. 

Child Restraint Use by Region 

As shown in Figure 12, the child restraint use continued to be higher in the West than in the other 

regions in 2010. 

Figure 12: Child Restraint Use by Region, 2004-2010 

Child Restraint Use by Driver Belt Status 

As shown in Figure 13, the restraint use for children driven by belted drivers continued to be higher than 

for those driven by unbelted drivers. 

Figure 13: Child Restraint Use by Driver Belt Status, 2004-2010 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

11
	
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Passenger Group1 

2009 2010 2009-2010 Change 

Restraint 

Use2 

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low 

in Group3 

Restraint 

Use2 

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low 

in Group3 

Change in 

Percentage 

Points 

Confidence in 

a Change in 

Use4 

All Child Passengers (From Birth to 7 Years) 

Children Driven by 

a Belted Driver 

an Unbelted Driver 

a Male Driver 

a Female Driver 

a Driver Age 16 to 24 

a Driver Age 25 to 69 

a Driver Age 70 and Older 

a White Driver 

a Black Driver 

a Driver who is a Member of Other Races 

Children in 

the Front Seat 

the Rear Seat 

Child Passengers on 

Expressways 

Surface Streets 

Child Passengers Traveling in 

Fast Traffic 

Medium-Speed Traffic 

Slow Traffic 

Child Passengers in 

Passenger Cars 

Vans & SUVs 

Pickup Trucks 

Child Passengers in the 

Northeast 

Midwest 

South 

West 

Child Passengers in 

Urban Areas 

Suburban Areas 

Rural Areas 

Child Passengers Traveling During 

Weekdays 

Rush Hours 

Nonrush Hours 

Weekends 

88% 

 

91% 

66% 

87% 

89% 

89% 

88% 

86% 

90% 

71% 

88% 

 

74% 

89% 

 

90% 

87% 

 

90% 

87% 

87% 

 

84% 

93% 

80% 

 

87% 

90% 

82% 

95% 

 

86% 

89% 

87% 

 

88% 

88% 

88% 

88% 

 

 

100% 

100% 

79% 

79% 

66% 

63% 

64% 

100% 

100% 

50% 

 

100% 

100% 

 

89% 

89% 

 

93% 

82% 

61% 

 

100% 

100% 

99% 

 

61% 

83% 

100% 

100% 

 

79% 

80% 

67% 

 

61% 

50% 

50% 

61% 

89% 

 

92% 

64% 

87% 

90% 

90% 

89% 

85% 

92% 

76% 

84% 

 

81% 

90% 

 

89% 

89% 

 

90% 

88% 

90% 

 

86% 

92% 

84% 

 

89% 

91% 

82% 

93% 

 

80% 

91% 

89% 

 

90% 

90% 

90% 

87% 

 

 

100% 

100% 

99% 

99% 

65% 

55% 

70% 

100% 

100% 

96% 

 

99% 

99% 

 

64% 

64% 

 

78% 

85% 

71% 

 

100% 

100% 

93% 

 

51% 

85% 

99% 

100% 

 

100% 

100% 

51% 

 

94% 

55% 

55% 

94% 

1 

 

1 

-2 

0 

1 

1 

1 

-1 

2 

5 

-4 

 

7 

1 

 

-1 

2 

 

0 

1 

3 

 

2 

-1 

4 

 

2 

1 

0 

-2 

 

-6 

2 

2 

 

2 

2 

2 

-1 

49% 

 

54% 

31% 

2% 

71% 

5% 

51% 

7% 

76% 

77% 

60% 

 

69% 

42% 

 

10% 

63% 

 

10% 

28% 

53% 

 

85% 

50% 

63% 

 

45% 

38% 

1% 

45% 

 

89% 

72% 

54% 

 

89% 

83% 

76% 

49% 

Table 5: Child Restraint Use in Passenger Motor Vehicles, by Major Characteristics 

1 Passengers under age 8 observed between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the right-front seat or the second row of seats in passenger 

vehicles with no commercial or government markings that are stopped at a stop sign or stop light. Age, gender, and racial 

classifications are based on the subjective assessments of roadside observers. 

2 Use of child car seats (forward- or rear-facing), booster seats, and seat belts. 3 The statistical confidence that use in the passenger group (e.g., child passengers in the Northeast) is higher or lower than use in 

the corresponding complementary passenger group (e.g., combined child passengers in the Midwest, in the South and in the 

West). Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent are formatted in boldface type. Confidences are rounded to the nearest 

percentage point, and so confidences reported as “100 percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100.0 percent. 4 The degree of statistical confidence that the 2010 use rate is different from the 2009 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90 

percent are formatted in boldface type. 

Source: NOPUS 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Passenger Group1 

2009 2010 2009-2010 Change 

Percentage 

Who Were in 

Rear Seat2 

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low 

in Group3 

Percentage 

Who Were in 

Rear Seat2 

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low 

in Group3 

Change in 

Percentage 

Points 

Confidence in 

a Change in 

Rear Seat 4 Occupancy

All Child Passengers (From Birth to 7 Years) 94% 93% -1 81% 

Age 0 (Infants) 99% 100% 97% 96% -2 57% 

Age 1-3 99% 100% 99% 100% 0 58% 

Age 4-7 90% 100% 89% 100% -1 61% 

Child Passengers in States With5 

Law Requiring Children From Birth of 5 Years Be in 96% 85% 94% 89% -2 60% the Rear Seat 

No Such Law 94% 85% 92% 89% -2 80% 

Children Driven by 

a Belted Driver 95% 99% 93% 93% -2 88% 

an Unbelted Driver 90% 99% 88% 93% -2 22% 

a Male Driver 94% 66% 93% 75% -1 24% 

a Female Driver 94% 66% 93% 75% -1 89% 

a Driver Age 16 to 24 98% 100% 98% 100% 0 27% 

a Driver Age 25 to 69 94% 98% 92% 100% -2 93% 

a Driver Age 70 and Older 84% 94% 94% 62% 10 81% 

a White Driver 94% 65% 93% 80% -1 89% 

a Black Driver 96% 92% 91% 77% -5 90% 

a Driver who is a Member of Other Races 92% 84% 95% 99% 3 75% 

Child Passengers on 

Expressways 96% 100% 95% 100% -1 57% 

Surface Streets 93% 100% 92% 100% -1 75% 

Child Passengers Traveling in 

Fast Traffic 94% 54% 95% 99% 1 42% 

Medium-Speed Traffic 94% 56% 92% 95% -2 91% 

Slow Traffic 94% 53% 92% 66% -2 55% 

Child Passengers in 

Passenger Cars 96% 100% 94% 86% -2 87% 

Vans & SUVs 95% 92% 93% 73% -2 79% 

Pickup Trucks 76% 100% 82% 100% 6 89% 

Child Passengers in the 

Northeast 97% 100% 96% 99% -1 45% 

Midwest 92% 90% 92% 75% 0 17% 

South 93% 76% 90% 96% -3 83% 

West 94% 57% 94% 83% 0 22% 

Child Passengers in 

Urban Areas 96% 91% 94% 72% -2 42% 

Suburban Areas 95% 89% 93% 65% -2 87% 

Rural Areas 92% 96% 92% 88% 0 3% 

Child Passengers Traveling During 

Weekdays 93% 97% 93% 61% 0 25% 

Rush Hours 92% 88% 92% 91% 0 34% 

Nonrush Hours 94% 88% 94% 91% 0 3% 

Weekends 96% 97% 93% 61% -3 85% 

Child Passengers in a 

Rear-Facing Car Seat 99% 100% 100% 100% 1 51% 

Forward-Facing Car Seat 99% 100% 99% 100% 0 52% 

High-Backed Booster Seat 100% UA 100% 100% 0 75% 

Seat belt or Backless Booster Seat 90% 100% 86% 100% -4 95% 

No Restraint Observed 88% 100% 88% 98% 0 1% 

Table 6: The Percent of Children Who Rode in the Rear Seat, by Major Characteristics 

1

Passengers under 8 observed between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the right-front seat or the second row of seats in passenger vehicles with no 

commercial or government markings that are stopped at a stop sign or stoplight. Age, gender, and racial classifications are based on the 

subjective assessments of roadside observers. 

2 The percentage of the child passenger group who were in the second row of seats at the time of observation. 3 The statistical confidence that use in the passenger group (e.g., child passengers in the Northeast) is higher or lower than use in the 

corresponding complementary passenger group (e.g., combined child passengers in the Midwest, in the South and in the West). Confidences that 

meet or exceed 90 percent are formatted in boldface type. Confidences are rounded to the nearest percentage point, and so confidences reported 

as “100 percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100.0 percent. 4 The degree of statistical confidence that the percentage of the child passenger group who were in the rear seat in 2010 is different from the 

analogous percentage from 2009. 

5 Use rates reflect the law in effect at the time data was collected. UA: Estimate not available 

Source: NOPUS 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

13 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Passenger Group1 

2009 2010 2009-2010 Change 

Restraint 

Use2 

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low 

in Group3 

Restraint 

Use2 

Confidence 

That Use Is 

High or Low in 

Group3 

Change in 

Percentage 

Points 

Confidence in 

a Change in 

Use4 

Infants (From Birth to 12 Months) 

Infants Driven by 

Infants in 

Infants in the 

Infants in 

a Belted Driver 

an Unbelted Driver 

a Male Driver 

a Female Driver 

Passenger Cars 

Vans & SUVs 

Pickup Trucks 

Northeast 

Midwest 

South 

West 

Urban Areas 

Suburban Areas 

Rural Areas 

 

99% 

93% 

98% 

99% 

 

98% 

100% 

NA 

 

98% 

96% 

99% 

100% 

 

99% 

99% 

97% 

97% 

97% 

79% 

79% 

75% 

UA 

NA 

61% 

93% 

82% 

UA 

87% 

81% 

89% 

99% 

94% 

97% 

100% 

99% 

99% 

NA 

97% 

100% 

99% 

99% 

99% 

99% 

99% 

84% 

84% 

98% 

98% 

86% 

56% 

NA 

87% 

99% 

68% 

69% 

63% 

61% 

57% 

 

0 

1 

-1 

1 

 

1 

-1 

NA 

 

-1 

4 

0 

-1 

 

0 

0 

2 

13% 

23% 

30% 

94% 

93% 

82% 

NA 

19% 

95% 

23% 

68% 

18% 

6% 

79% 

Children Age 1 to 3 

Children Age 1-3 Driven by 

Children Age 1-3 in 

Children Age 1-3 in the 

Children Age 1-3 in 

a Belted Driver 

an Unbelted Driver 

a Male Driver 

a Female Driver 

Passenger Cars 

Vans & SUVs 

Pickup Trucks 

Northeast 

Midwest 

South 

West 

Urban Areas 

Suburban Areas 

Rural Areas 

 

94% 

85% 

95% 

93% 

92% 

97% 

83% 

 

96% 

93% 

89% 

97% 

 

91% 

95% 

93% 

99% 

99% 

70% 

70% 

97% 

100% 

96% 

81% 

68% 

98% 

98% 

90% 

90% 

70% 

95% 

80% 

93% 

95% 

92% 

96% 

94% 

94% 

96% 

89% 

96% 

86% 

96% 

95% 

99% 

99% 

89% 

89% 

99% 

99% 

56% 

57% 

93% 

93% 

93% 

95% 

93% 

65% 

 

1 

-5 

-2 

2 

 

0 

-1 

11 

 

-2 

3 

0 

-1 

 

-5 

1 

2 

42% 

51% 

55% 

68% 

5% 

34% 

90% 

31% 

77% 

5% 

36% 

52% 

36% 

54% 

Children Age 4 to 7 

Children Age 4-7 Driven by 

Children Age 4-7 in 

Children Age 4-7 in the 

Children Age 4-7 in 

a Belted Driver 

an Unbelted Driver 

a Male Driver 

a Female Driver 

Passenger Cars 

Vans & SUVs 

Pickup Trucks 

Northeast 

Midwest 

South 

West 

Urban Areas 

Suburban Areas 

Rural Areas 

 

86% 

54% 

81% 

83% 

75% 

90% 

79% 

 

80% 

86% 

74% 

92% 

 

80% 

83% 

82% 

100% 

100% 

83% 

83% 

100% 

100% 

78% 

72% 

92% 

99% 

100% 

70% 

65% 

53% 

87% 

51% 

82% 

85% 

79% 

88% 

79% 

83% 

87% 

74% 

89% 

72% 

86% 

84% 

100% 

100% 

89% 

89% 

100% 

100% 

83% 

52% 

92% 

100% 

99% 

99% 

96% 

66% 

 

1 

-3 

1 

2 

 

4 

-2 

0 

 

3 

1 

0 

-3 

 

-8 

3 

2 

41% 

20% 

35% 

37% 

81% 

37% 

8% 

58% 

18% 

2% 

54% 

74% 

65% 

43% 

Table 7: Child Restraint Use in Passenger Motor Vehicles, by Age and Other Characteristics 

1 Passengers under 8 observed between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the right-front seat or the second row of seats in passenger vehicles with no commercial or government 

markings that are stopped at a stop sign or stoplight. Age, gender, and racial classifications are based on the subjective assessments of roadside observers. 2 Use of child car seats (forward- or rear-facing), booster seats, and seat belts.
	 3 The statistical confidences that use in the passenger group (e.g., child passengers in the Northeast) is higher or lower than use in the corresponding complementary
	

passenger group (e.g., combined child passengers in the Midwest, in the South and in the West). Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent are formatted in boldface type.
	

Confidences are rounded to the nearest percentage point, and so confidences reported as “100 percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100.0 percent. 4 The degree of statistical confidence that the 2010 use rate is different from the 2009 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent are formatted in boldface type.
	

NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate. UA: Estimate not available. Source: NOPUS
	

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

14 
 

 

 

 

 

5. NOPUS Methodology 

This section briefly discusses the sample design, data collection, and estimation used in the 2010 

NOPUS Controlled Intersection Study. For more details on the NOPUS methodology, please refer to the 

upcoming NHTSA technical report, “National Occupant Protection Use Survey Methodology,” which 

will be available at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Cats/index.aspx. Data collection, estimation, and 

variance estimation for NOPUS are conducted by Westat, Inc., under the direction of NHTSA’s National 

Center for Statistics and Analysis under Federal contract number DTNH22-07-D-00057. 

Sample Design 

NOPUS is in the final stage of its phasing-in to the redesigned sample of observational sites. The 

redesigned sample contains a greater proportion of local roads, new roads and thus provides a better 

representation of the current U.S. population of motor vehicle occupants. Since the initial 

implementation of the redesign in 2006 and every year following, NOPUS has had an increasing number 

of sites from the redesigned sample and a decreasing number of sites from the old sample. Data from 

2005 and prior years were obtained from the old observational sites only. 

The old sample design was a multistage, stratified sample design in which 50 primary sampling units 

(PSUs) were selected at the first stage and the strata were created using Census region, metropolitan 

statistical area (MSA) or non-MSA status, and the State’s seat belt use rate (high = 70% and over, 

medium = 55 to under 70% and low = under 55%). In the second stage, roads were classified into two 

secondary strata prior to sampling, namely major roads (including limited access highways, U.S. roads, 

and State routes), and local roads (including county roads, residential roads, and rural roads). Major 

roads were then sampled from computerized road inventories supplied by State DOT offices in the 25 

States represented by the sampled PSUs while local roads were clustered within Census tracts in the 

selected PSUs. For the 2010 NOPUS, 12 PSUs and 449 sites were selected from the old design. 

The redesigned NOPUS sample was selected using a two-stage design with stratified probability 

proportional to size (PPS) sampling at each stage. The sampling frame of PSUs for the 2006 redesigned 

sample included all counties in the U.S. but excluded Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories. In the 

redesigned sample, only one PSU was designated as a certainty sampling unit (i.e., probability one) due 

to its large vehicle miles traveled (VMT). In order to decrease the variances associated with the survey 

estimates, the remaining PSUs were stratified according to their predicted rates of restraint use based on 

a regression model that used primary enforcement law status, ratio of fatal crashes to VMT, percentage 

of college graduates, and several other relevant variables as predictors. The non-certainty PSUs were 

selected by systematic PPS sampling from these primary strata using VMT as the measure of size. The 

secondary sampling units (SSUs) consisted of road segments that lie at least partly inside the selected 

PSUs. To define road segments, the selected PSUs were divided into grids, usually of one-acre in size. 

For the 2010 NOPUS, 43 PSUs and 1,334 sites were selected from the redesigned sample. 

Table 9 shows the observed sample sizes of the 2010 NOPUS. A total of 69,747 occupants were 

observed in the 48,331 vehicles at the 1,446 data collection sites. Of these observed occupants, 3,914 

were children under 8. Please note that due to ineligibility, construction, danger in the area, or road 

closure, observations could not be completed at some of the sampled observation sites. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

15 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numbers of 2009 2010 Percentage 

Change 

Sites Observed 1,496 1,446 -3% 

Vehicles Observed 49,475 48,331 -2% 

Occupants Age 8 and Older 66,950 65,833 -2% 

In Front Seat 63,682 62,349 -2% 

In Rear Seat 3,268 3,484 7% 

Occupants Under Age 8 3,543 3,914 10% 

Children Under Age 1 392 540 38% 

Children Age 1 to 3 1,225 1,317 8% 

Children Age 4 to 7 1,926 2,057 7% 

Table 8: Sites, Vehicles and Occupants in the 2010 NOPUS 

Data Collection 

The 2010 NOPUS data collection was conducted during the period from June 7, 2010 to June 26, 2010. 

In the NOPUS Controlled Intersection Study, trained data collectors observe restraint use of drivers and 

other occupants of passenger vehicles having no commercial or government markings which have 

stopped at a stop sign or stoplight during daylight hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Observations are 

made both on the surface streets and at the ends of the expressway exit ramps (where there are controlled 

intersections.) Only stopped vehicles are observed based on the time required to collect the variety of 

information required by the survey, including subjective assessments of the vehicle occupants’ age and 

race. Observers collect data on the driver, right-front passenger, and up to two passengers in the second 

row of seats. Observers do not interview vehicle occupants intentionally, allowing NOPUS to capture the 

uninfluenced behavior of the occupants. 

NOPUS Controlled Intersection Study is always done following NOPUS Moving Traffic Survey and is 

usually scheduled for all surface streets and limited access highway ramps, where NOPUS data from 

previous years indicates that a controlled intersection exists. If the data collectors arrive at an assigned 

surface street site and the site is not controlled, they are instructed to search for an alternative. The data 

collectors move down the roadside and record vehicle and occupant characteristics. Once the traffic light 

turns green or they finish observing all vehicles, the data collectors return to the intersection to wait for 

the next traffic light cycle or next vehicle. They observe vehicles in the lane closest to their observational 

position, even if the closest lane is an exclusive turn lane (which is often the case at the controlled 

intersections.) When possible and if visibility allows, the data collectors also observe the other lanes of 

traffic. The data collectors are instructed to record the first behavior of the driver in which they observe. 

Regardless of road type, the data collectors observe vehicles at the assigned intersections for 40 minutes. 

Since data collection for the CI study immediately follows the MT survey, no additional vehicle counts 

are conducted at controlled intersections. Instead, the independent counts from the MT survey 

observation sites are used for the corresponding CI study sites. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

16 
 

 

 

Estimation 

NOPUS estimates the rate of occupants restrained in restraint type (R) among the occupants having 

characteristic (C) using the formula, 

wijk FijkCRijk
 

i, j,k Restraint Use CR		

wijk FijkCijk
 

i, j,k
 , 

where wijk and Fijk , respectively, denote the base weight and the product of various weight adjustment 

factors at the site k in the stratum j of the PSU i . CRijk stands for the number of observed occupants 

having characteristic C and restrained in restraint type R and Cijk denotes the number of observed 

occupants having characteristic C at the site k in the stratum j of the PSU i . For example, the seat 

belt use by vehicle type is estimated using the above formula, where CRijk is the number of observed 

belted occupants in certain type of vehicles (such as passenger cars, vans & SUVs, or pickup trucks) and 

Cijk is the number of ALL (belted and unbelted) occupants observed in that type of vehicles at the site k 

in the stratum j of the PSU i . 

In certain instances, NHTSA does not provide estimates. These are typically restraint use estimates 

whose numerator is based on fewer than five persons observed, whose denominator is based on fewer 

than 30 people observed, or the estimates are not statistically different from 0% (i.e., the standard error is 

at least half the point estimate). These are reported as “NA” in publications. Any related estimate (i.e., 

change in use and confidence estimates) is not reported as well. The same criteria are used in reporting 

estimates from the NSUBS survey. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

17 
 

 

 

 

 

6. References 

[1]		 Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2010, September). Seat Belt Use in 2010 – Overall Results, 

(DOT HS 811 378). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Available at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811378 

[2]		 Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2010, December). Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2010 – Overall 

Results. (DOT HS 811 419). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration. Available at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811419 

[3]		 Pickrell, T.M., & Ye, T.J. (2010, November). Occupant Restraint Use in 2009 – Results 

from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey Controlled Intersection Study. (DOT 

HS 811 414). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Available at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811414 

[4]		 Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2009, August). Seat Belt Use in 2008 – Demographic Results. 

(DOT HS 811 183). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Available at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811183 

[5]		 Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2009, May). Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats in 2008. (DOT HS 

811 133). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at 

www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811133 

[6]		 Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2009, May). Child Restraint Use in 2008 – Overall Results. 

(DOT HS 811 135). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Available at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811135 

[7]		 Ye, T. J., & Pickrell, T. M. (2008, April). Child Restraint Use in 2007 – Overall Results. 

(DOT HS 810 931). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Available at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810931 

[8]		 Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2010, September). The 2009 National Survey of Use of Booster 

Seats. (DOT HS 811 377). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration. Available at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811377 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590 18 
 

 

Appendix: Definitions 

	 Vehicle occupants observed in the NOPUS survey are counted as “belted” if they appeared to 

have a shoulder belt across the front of the body. NOPUS does not observe the use of lap belts 

because these restraints cannot be reliably observed from the roadside. 

	 The survey classifies a child as: 

o	 Restrained in a rear-facing car seat if the child appears to be on a seat on top of the 

vehicle seat, facing the rear of the vehicle, with harness straps across the front of the 

child. 

o	 Restrained in a forward-facing car seat if the child appears to be on a seat on top of the 

vehicle seat, facing the front of the vehicle, with harness straps across the front of the 

child. 

o	 Restrained in a high-backed booster seat if the child appears to be on a seat on top of the 

vehicle seat with a shoulder belt across the front of the child. 

o	 Restrained in a seat belt or backless booster seat if there is a shoulder belt across the front 

of the child but the observers cannot see if the child is in a seat on top of the vehicle seat. 

o	 Restrained if s/he is restrained by any of the above. 

o	 The remaining children are classified as unrestrained. Note that in the survey there is no 

mention of being “unrestrained” in, for example, a forward-facing car seat. NOPUS does 

not observe the use of lap belts, and does not distinguish between seat belts and backless 

booster seats, because these assessments cannot be reliable if observed from the roadside. 

	 The racial categories “Black,” “White,” and “Members of other races” in NOPUS reflect 

subjective characterizations by roadside observers regarding the race of vehicle occupants. 

Likewise observers record all age groups (8 to 15 years old, 16 to 24 years old, 25 to 69 years 

old, and 70 and older) that best fits their visual assessment of each observed occupant. 

	 "Expressways" are defined as roadways with limited access, while "surface streets" comprise all 

other roadways. 

	 A roadway is defined to have "fast traffic" if, during the observation period, the average speed of 

passenger vehicles passing the observer(s) exceeds 50 mph, with "medium-speed traffic" defined 

as 31 to 50 mph and "slow traffic" defined as 30 mph or slower. The traffic speed data in the CI 

survey are matched to the MT survey data. 

	 A roadway is defined to have "heavy traffic" if the average number of vehicles per lane mile on 

the roadway during the observation period exceeded 45 vehicles per lane mile. "Moderately 

dense traffic" is defined as 26 to 45 vehicles per lane per mile. "Light traffic" is defined as a 

maximum of 25 vehicles per lane per mile. The traffic density data in the CI survey is matched 

to the MT survey data. 

	 Since NOPUS is not a census but based on some probability sample, it is impossible to produce 

State-by-State restraint use results. However NOPUS can and does produce regional estimates 

using the following categories: 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590 19
 

Northeast: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont 

Midwest: Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, 

Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin 

South : Alabama, Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, 

Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, 

Virginia, West Virginia 

West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, 

Oregon, Washington, Washington, Wyoming 

These definitions of the four NOPUS regions are the same regional definitions used in the 

NSUBS. 

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 

20 

DOT HS 811 527

November 2011