MassPINN supports efforts to bring a Primary Enforcement law to Massachusetts. Current state law does not allow motorists to be stopped by police for not wearing a seat belt. The Commonwealth’s current law is ineffective and a contributing factor The seat belt use rate in Massachusetts is currently only seventy-four percent – ranking the state 48th in the nation. A change to Primary Enforcement is expected to increase belt use by at least ten points, saving 18 lives and preventing more than 650 serious injuries annually. These lives saved and injuries prevented translate directly to significant savings to the state – including $170 million in health care and health care related costs. Further, there is added urgency as Massachusetts will receive $13.6 million in federal funding if the bill is passed by June 30 and enacted by September 30.
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The Economic Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes 2000
Estimated Medical Cost Savings in Massachusetts By Implementing a Primary Seat Belt Law