Show Me the Buckle: Missouri seat belt use below national average, outcomes may reflect

Missouri seat belt use is well below the national average, a pattern potentially reflected in highway fatality data. In 2009, just 77 percent of Missouri motorists frequently used seat belts, compared to the national average of 84 percent.

The use rate in Missouri does show signs of marginal improvement, up one point since the last survey, but that isn't enough according to some advocates.

"Missouri is seven points lower than the national seat belt use average," Leanna Depue of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety's executive committee said. "Unfortunately, our number has only gone up one percentage point, which doesn't show any real improvement; and it's not likely to improve significantly without a primary safety belt law. We could save so many lives just by making our seat belt law a primary law."

Missouri's use rates are reflective of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which shows 2 additional deaths per 10 million vehicle miles traveled above the national average.

Although fatality rates decreased relative to 1990, the gap between Missouri fatalities and the national average increased a full point. The decrease is likely related to improved vehicle safety features, but the gap is largely unexplained.

Proposed changes to Missouri seat belt laws have not been viewed favorably in recent years, perceived as overly prescriptive lawmaking. Rep. Bill Deeken (R), Rep. Jeff Roorda (D) and State Sen. Chuck Graham (D) all offered separate proposals in 2008 or 2009 that would have required all vehicle passengers to wear seat belts.

The next logical question is whether such laws are actually effective at reducing traffic fatalities. The answer: maybe, but the jury is still out on the complete policy impact. On an individual level use of seat belts remains a no brainer in terms of reducing fatalities, but the results are less clear for command and control regulations aimed at forced compliance. Just because belt usage is codified doesn't mean citizens comply.

There's some evidence from the rationalist policy school that increased vehicle safety results in riskier driving behavior. For instance, a New Zealand study found reduced motor vehicle fatalities due to a seat belt law, but those benefits were offset by increased cycling and pedestrian fatalities due to riskier driving.

Although some studies, such as one from the National Conference of State Legislators, claim mandated seat belt usage is unquestionably beneficial, the literature pool is far from conclusive.

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