Emory University Launches Groundbreaking Study on Seat Belt Usage and Distracted Driving Trends Across Georgia

ATLANTA – Emory University researchers are diving into the safety of Georgia’s roads. With over $300,000 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), the team at the Injury Prevention Research Center at Emory (IPRCE) will measure seat belt use and keep an eye on distracted driving.

This marks the fourth year for this vital research project. Between May and August, trained observers will gather data from 400 spots across 20 counties in Georgia. The counties involved include Cobb, DeKalb, Floyd, and Gwinnett, among others.

Observers will be stationed at busy intersections to see who is buckled up in the front seat and whether drivers are distracted. The results will be shared with the GOHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help shape new safety programs.

Recent data shows some interesting trends. Here’s what we found:

• 92.3% of right-front passengers use seat belts, while 88.7% of drivers do.
• Seat belt use is highest in SUVs (92.3%) and lowest in trucks (82.8%).
• Women buckle up (90.6%) more than men (87.3%).
• Kids aged 8 to 15 have the highest usage at 92.6%, followed by seniors over 70 (91.8%).

Jonathan Rupp, PhD, who leads the IPRCE, noted a slight increase in seat belt usage—from 87.6% in 2023 to 88.8% in 2024. However, the rate of handheld cell phone use while driving didn’t change much, hovering around 6.6% this year. This data could be crucial in targeting efforts to boost seat belt use and reduce distractions behind the wheel.

The push for safety doesn’t just come from data; it’s backed by communities and social media discussions. In recent months, hashtags like #BuckleUpGeorgia have gained traction online, encouraging safer driving habits.

For more insights about highway safety, check the NHTSA’s report on distracted driving here.

Source link

Us,Ga,News,Organization,Emory