North Carolina Receives Nearly $3.2 Million for Seat Belt Initiatives

RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 15 -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has notified Gov. Mike Easley that North Carolina will receive $3,198,600 in federal funds to support programs designed to increase seat belt and child safety seat use statewide. North Carolina will receive this money because seat belt use in the state exceeded the national average for the past two years. The amount was determined by estimating savings in medical costs for unrestrained crash-related injuries and deaths that were prevented due to the seat belt use rate. "North Carolina's high rate of seat belt use is evidence that our 'Click It or Ticket' campaign is working," said Gov. Easley. "But we must continue to help North Carolina motorists understand the lifesaving benefits of buckling up." The money will use be used to provide law enforcement equipment for traffic safety initiatives, enhance teen driver education programs, develop a comprehensive plan for special needs children who travel in motor vehicles, and design a statewide electronic crash data reporting system. In addition, funds will be allocated to implement traffic-engineering improvements in high crash locations statewide. The grant amount was based on the reported seat belt use rate of 80.5 percent for drivers and front seat passengers in 2000. Following the spring 2001 "Click It or Ticket" campaign, that rate increased to 82.7 percent. The spring campaign extended past North Carolina borders to include eight southeastern states, all of which reported significant gains in their seat belt use rates. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has credited that regional, high-visibility enforcement campaign for boosting the national seat belt use rate from 71 percent to 73 percent, the highest rate ever. "Click It or Ticket" was established in 1993 and is coordinated by the Governor's Highway Safety Program. A related initiative, "Booze It & Lose It," which targets impaired driving, will begin its fall campaign with a statewide kickoff Friday, Nov. 16, in Greensboro. It will continue through the Thanksgiving travel period and conclude on Dec. 2.