Wash. slips to No. 3 for seat-belt use

Wash. slips to No. 3 for seat-belt use

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Story Published: Jan 11, 2009 at 1:34 PM PST

Story Updated: Jan 11, 2009 at 1:34 PM PST

By Associated Press

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - The Washington Traffic Safety Commission says the state is no longer tops when it comes to motorists and passengers obeying seat-belt laws.

Commission communications manager M.J. Haught said observational studies nationwide have shown that Washington state's rate - 96.5 percent last year - is the highest it's ever been, with five years of steady improvement. But Haught said Michigan and Hawaii beat Washington out, with 97. 2 and 97.0, respectively.

John Moffat, the region's administrator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, noted unbuckled people get hurt worse in traffic accidents.

In a bulletin, Moffat said, "An unbelted vehicle occupant's medical costs average $11,000 more per collision than those of a belted vehicle occupant's."

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