Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use

This document establishes uniform criteria for State seat belt use surveys that are to be conducted in connection with a new Federal grant program. Section 157 of Title 23, United States Code, directs the Secretary of Transportation to allocate funds to States that achieve a seat belt use rate that exceeds, for the past two years, the national average use rate, or that exceeds the highest seat belt use rate achieved by the State in certain designated previous years. For calendar years 1998 through 2001, the new law requires the seat belt use rate submitted by the States to be consistent with measurement criteria established by the Secretary. This document sets forth the criteria to be used by the States to determine their seat belt use rates under this program, starting with surveys conducted in calendar year 1998. These uniform criteria replace the Guidelines for State Observational Surveys of Safety Belt and Motorcycle Helmet Use, which are rescinded by this document.