The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) has unveiled the results of its annual roadside observational survey, which aims to determine the average seat belt usage across the state. The latest findings reveal that the overall seat belt utilization rate in Tennessee stands at an impressive 92.2 percent. This figure marks a slight increase from the 2023 survey, which recorded a usage rate of 92.0 percent, reflecting a growth of nearly 0.2 percent.
Notably, this year’s results indicate that Tennessee has achieved its highest annual seat belt usage rate to date. The THSO has been proactive in its efforts to enhance seat belt compliance through various grant-funded initiatives. Programs such as Ollie Otter, Reduce TN Crashes, Rule the Road, and the Tennessee Occupant Protection Coalition are part of the collaborative efforts between the THSO and both state and local partners aimed at promoting safer driving practices.
In addition to these initiatives, the THSO emphasizes the importance of seat belt use through campaigns like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click It or Ticket” enforcement program. For those seeking further information on traffic safety and seat belt usage, the THSO encourages visits to their website at www.tntrafficsafety.org.