Statistics show rural Americans more likely to die in vehicle crashes due to less seat belt use

From The Trussville Tribune staff reports

A recent study found the rate of death for adult drivers and passengers from motor vehicle crashes is 3 to 10 times higher among rural Americans. 

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined passenger vehicle occupant deaths among adults ages 18 or older. The study found a higher proportion of drivers and passengers in rural areas were not buckled up at the time of the fatal crash.

About 40 percent of Alabamians live in rural areas.

Seat belt use prevented an estimated 64,000 deaths in the United States during 2011-2015.

The study found that “increasing rurality is consistently shown to be associated with increased crash-related death rates and lower seat belt use.”  Wearing seat belts has been shown to reduce the risk of serious injury or death by about 50 percent.

More information is available at the state’s public health webpage.