Occupant Restraint Use in 2010 (Report)

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.

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811527.pdf