Occupant Restraint Use in 2009: Results From the National Occupant Protection Use Survey Controlled Intersection Study

Abstract

This report presents results from the 2009 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 2009 NOPUS found that seat belt use continued to be lower among 16- to 24-year-olds than other age groups, lower among males than females, and lower among black occupants than occupants of the other race groups. Seat belt use among black occupants increased significantly from 75 percent in 2008 to 79 percent in 2009. The seat belt use in rear seats in 2009 stood at 70 percent and continued to be lower than in front seats. The restraint use for all children from birth to 7 years old stood at 88 percent in 2009 as compared to 87 percent in 2008. Child restraint use in the Midwest increased significantly from 85 percent in 2008 to 90 percent in 2009, and child restraint use continued to be higher in the West than in the other regions.