Action Needed to Support SB 774 (Seatbelt Enhancements) and Protect Back Seat Passengers

(Please forward this to anyone you know in North Carolina)

SB 774, a bill sponsored by Senator William Purcell, would require all passengers and drivers, including backseat passengers, to buckle up. The bill would also bring commercial truck driver seat belt requirements in compliance with federal law. The Senate version of this bill, which passed with a resounding 45-4 vote, is up for consideration in the House on Monday, August 29. Certain members of the House have expressed interest in gutting the backseat passenger requirements of this bill, which is the most important safety provision of this bill. Given that un-belted backseat passengers not only pose a fatal threat to themselves, but also to the drivers and front seat passengers, this bill would dramatically improve the safety of all automobile occupants. We urge you to do 2 simple tasks in support of this measure:

• Please call and/or email Representative Ronnie Sutton and urge him to NOT insert an amendment to SB 774 that would gut the backseat safety belt requirement. His contact information is: (919)715-0875 or Rons@ncleg.net

• Please call and/or email your representative and urge them to support SB 774 IN ITS ENTIRETY, without any amendments. To find your representative, visit: www.ncga.state.nc.us/House/House.html

Talking Points

In 2003, 72 backseat unbelted passengers died in North Carolina.

If only half of these lives were saved, $40 million North Carolina tax dollars could be saved annually.

If the occupants up front are belted and the backseat passengers are not, a collision at 31mph produces a five times greater risk for the front seat occupants (because of the pressure produced by the backseat passengers).

A collision at 31mph, the backseat passenger exerts 3.5 tons of pressure on the front seat.

If North Carolina does not comply with federal motor carrier seat belt requirements by 2007, North Carolina State Highway Patrol (Motor Carrier Division) will lose $5 million annually. (SB 774 will satisfy this requirement).

In 2003, 56% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were not wearing seat belts.

Seat belts are credited with preventing 11,900 fatalities and 325,000 serious injuries annually. (NHTSA, 2003)

If all passengers were to wear their seat belts, an additional 9,200 fatalities and 143,000 serious injuries could be prevented each year. (NHTSA, 2003)

Six out of ten children who died in passenger vehicle crashes were unbelted. (National Safety Council, or NSC, 2002)

Average inpatient costs for traffic crash victims who did not use seat belts were 50% higher than for victims who were belted. (NSC, 2001)

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For further information, contact Jeremy Gunderson, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety,
202-408-1711 or jgunderson@saferoads.org

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is a coalition of consumer, health, safety and insurance companies working together to advance highway and auto safety.