According to a study by The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, seat belt use among commercial truck and bus drivers in the state, is definitely up. The survey conducted in 2010 across Missouri shows that more than 80% of all commercial truck and bus drivers are now buckled up. The last time the survey was conducted was in 2008, when the percentage of commercial truck and bus drivers wearing seat belts was about 73.4%. The study is conducted every alternate year.
Some drivers seem to be much more used to the need for seat belts while driving than others. For instance, drivers of double trailers, bus and boxed trailer trucks showed more improvement in buckling up than drivers of other vehicles. Double trailer drivers wore their seatbelts most often, while dump truck drivers had the lowest rate of seat belt use at 57.5%.
Whenever seat belt usage comes up, most people immediately think about motorists and occupants of a passenger vehicle. Drivers of commercial buses and trucks also need to buckle up at all times, to prevent the risk of suffering serious injuries in an accident. For instance, 18-wheelers are at a high risk of rollovers, especially when a truck driver applies the brakes at high speeds. Besides, these trucks have a much higher chance of flipping over when the vehicle is traveling on a a slippery or wet road. During a rollover, a truck or bus driver can be ejected out the window, causing serious injuries or death.
Incidentally, a Missouri Senate Committee is considering an increase to the fines for seatbelt violators. If Missouri approved the fine increase from $10 to $50, Missouri would have the 3rd highest fine in the U.S. .
It takes a few seconds to buckle up, but could mean the difference between life and death in a serious accident.
