Seat Belt Use Lower for Police Officers

A 2011 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publication estimated nationwide seat belt use at 84%. It explained that since 1994, seat belt use has steadily increased while the percentage of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities has decreased. But not all segments of the population have the same seat belt use percentage. The Washington Post, citing federal data, recently reported that seat belt use among police officers is only about 50%. This is despite most states' laws requiring them to do so.

The Post cites several reasons why officers go unbelted, including an officer’s (1) desire to get out of the vehicle quickly; (2) concern that the belt will interfere with their gun, belt, or driving; and (3) concern that it will limit their ability to dodge a bullet. Citing a Prince George County assistant police chief, the article reports that the way to increase officer seat belt use is to change department culture and the way officers think about seat belts. This includes educating officers and instituting new policies and procedures.

To combat this problem, the St. Louis police department requires strict enforcement of its seat belt requirement. And in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Prince George County, Maryland, police parking lots have signs at their exits to remind officers to buckle up. The punishment for a police officer not wearing a seat belt in Prince George County is a written reprimand but, according to the article, the department intends to hold district commanders responsible for ensuring their officers use seat belts.