South Carolina Seat Belt Usage Improves, Still Lags Nation

July 16, 2008

More South Carolinians are using their seat belts, but a new study says the state still lags the national average.

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Public Safety Department spokesman Sid Gaulden says the study by the University of South Carolina determined that 79 percent of the state's residents are using their seat belts. That's up from about 75 percent last year.

The State newspaper of Columbia reported July 15 the national average is 82 percent.

The study was designed to evaluate the Public Safety Department's "Buckle Up South Carolina'' campaign that ran from May 9 to June 1.

The Public Safety Department says traffic deaths during the campaign fell to 20 during the campaign, from 29 during the same period last year.

The study says nearly 86 percent of women used seat belts, compared with 74 percent of men.
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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com