Most large-truck drivers don't buckle up: DOT

Dec 8, 2003 12:00 PM, from staff and wire reports

A Department of Transportation first-ever survey of seat belt use among large-truck drivers is expected to show that a little less than half buckle up compared with about 80% for the general United States driving population.

This past summer, the National Highway Traffic Safety administration released statistics showing that drivers of sport utility vehicles and vans have the highest usage rates, at 83%, while pickup truck drivers have the lowest rates, at 69%. The survey did not mention large-truck drivers.

Transportation Secretary Norman Y Mineta will release the full results December 9 at a Roadway Express trucking facility in Atlanta GA. He will be there as part of the kick-off of a national campaign of a public-private partnership to increase safety belt use among the nationÕs more than 11 million commercial drivers.

The press conference also will include Annette M Sandberg, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Bill Graves, American Trucking Associations president and chief executive officer; James Johnston, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association; and America's Road Team truck drivers.