On Tuesday, January 21, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) announced a significant increase in the state's overall seat belt usage rate, compared to previous years. The usage rate rose from 90.9 percent in 2018 to 91.75 percent in 2019. This marks the second year Tennessee's usage rate surpassed 90 percent. Tennessee's 2019 usage rate also exceeded the national usage rate of 90.7 percent.
Highlights from Tennessee's 2019 seat belt survey are as follows.
Research data was collected at 190 pre-identified roadway locations across the State of Tennessee.
Researchers observed more than 34,000 vehicle occupants.
Vehicles observed included cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs.
Overall, female occupants displayed a higher usage rate (96.7 percent) than males (87.9 percent).
Pickup trucks displayed the lowest usage rate (84.9 percent).
This data was collected through an annual roadside observational survey conducted by the University of Tennessee Knoxville's Center for Transportation Research. Tennessee's seat belt usage rate has been certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.