The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a new outreach effort of its Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Belt Partnership to encourage truckers to wear safety belts.
The campaign – “Be Ready. Be Buckled” – was unveiled Friday by top DOT officials at the Executive West, across from the show. The message will be promoted through public service announcements and posters, brochures and other printed materials posted at truck stops, carrier terminals and other locations.
Half of the 620 truckers killed in accidents during 2003 were not wearing safety belts, said DOT Secretary Norman Mineta. Of the 171 truckers ejected from their vehicles, almost 80 percent were not wearing a safety belt.
Only 48 percent of truckers use safety belts, compared to 80 percent of all passenger vehicle drivers.
