A message for John xxxxxx - [email protected]
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 15, 2022


** West Virginia seat belt usage rate hits all-time high
------------------------------------------------------------

CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice and his Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) announced today that the statewide seat belt usage rate for 2022 came in at 92.5 percent, a new record. This rate exceeds the national average of 90 percent.

"It just doesn't get better than being able to say West Virginians are using their seatbelts more than ever before," Gov. Justice said. "These seatbelt numbers are off the chart impressive, and I'm so glad to know West Virginians are being as safe as possible when they're on our roads. Especially this time of year when the roads are getting slick, and it gets dark early, making sure you're safe in a vehicle is important. Thank you West Virginia for taking care of yourselves and your family."

Seat belt utilization has increased substantially over the past nine years. The passage of the primary seat belt law in 2013 and continued effort by the GHSP’s Click It or Ticket campaigns, high visibility law enforcement, and education are instrumental in increasing West Virginia’s seat belt usage.

“West Virginians are getting the message: seat belts save lives,” GHSP Director Bob Tipton said. “Roadway fatalities in West Virginia have decreased from 432 in 2007 to 267 in 2020. Crash data shows that seat belt use saves lives and prevents serious injuries. We strive to make sure drivers and passengers know how to correctly buckle up and to ensure children are properly restrained in a car seat or booster appropriate for their weight and height.”

Research shows using lap and shoulder combination seat belts reduce risk of a fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and reduce the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent (NHTSA, 2011). Drivers and passengers of light trucks reduce their risk of fatal injury by 60 percent (Kahane, 2015).

To conduct the scientific study, observations were randomly scheduled for all days of the week during daylight hours between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Observers recorded the use of seat belts and mobile devices while driving, along with other information. An independent consulting firm has certified the results, ensuring their accuracy and objectivity.

For more information about seat belts, please visit nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts. To contact the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, visit highwaysafety.wv.gov.
###

============================================================

CONTACT THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Jordan Damron
Director of Communications, Assistant Legal Counsel
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


CJ Harvey
Press Secretary
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

FOLLOW GOVERNOR JUSTICE

** Gov. Justice on Twitter ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on Facebook ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on Instagram ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on YouTube ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on Flickr ([link removed])
** Governor's Website ([link removed])
You are receiving this email from Governor Jim Justice's Communications Office. Any reference to the word "campaign" in any link associated with this email has been generated by Mailchimp, an online web-based marketing program, and not by the Office of the Governor. Any document linked in this email is a document of the Governor's Communications Office and not of any campaign.

We routinely add email addresses from people we meet who contact Governor Justice's office. If you do not wish to receive messages from our office, please click the Unsubscribe link below for instant removal.
You are receiving this email because you asked to receive updates from the Governor's Office.

Our mailing address is:
Governor's Communications Office
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
State Capitol
Charleston, WV 25305
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]