In the city that reads, motorists need a two-word vocabulary lesson: Buckle up.
Surveys conducted by the city and state show that Baltimore drivers and passengers are far less likely to wear seat belts than their counterparts elsewhere. The lapse has increased fatalities and the severity of accident injuries and costs, according to safety experts.
"Seat belt compliance, like a lot of things, has to do with people's concern for health and safety," said Fred Shoken, a city traffic safety educator. "You often have less concern for health and safety in low-income areas."
Only 47 percent of city drivers and passengers wear seat belts, according to a survey conducted this month by the city's Public Works Department. A statewide study done last year by the State Highway Administration (SHA) found just 43 percent of city motorists wore belts.
The SHA study estimated statewide compliance at 69.2 percent, with most jurisdictions averaging between 70 percent and 75 percent. Baltimore's results were the state's worst, with Washington County coming in a distant second at 55 percent.
Dr. Elizabeth A. Baker, acting chief of SHA's traffic safety division, said Baltimore's low seat belt use is typical of urban areas. In cities, drivers are more likely to be traveling shorter distances at slower speeds. They have the mistaken impression they don't need to wear a safety belt, she said.
Washington County's low ranking is likely a mere statistical anomaly since only three sites were surveyed compared with 96 throughout the rest of the state, she said.
Baltimore's low compliance rate may reflect a bias in the survey, which is based on observations of drivers and passengers. Suburban drivers are more likely to own newer cars with automatic shoulder restraints, yet they may not be complying with the law. Observers can't tell whether lap belts are buckled.
Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke kicked off this week a six-month campaign, "Buckle Up Baltimore," aimed at increasing the seat belt compliance rate by 25 percentage points. Organizers said such a goal is achievable; Baltimore police estimated that as recently as three years ago 60 per cent to 65 percent of city drivers used belts.
"This is not a problem that takes years or millions of dollars in government programs to solve," said Barbara W. Beckett, executive director of the Maryland Committee for Safety Belt Use, a nonprofit advocacy group. "People need to be reminded that the click of a safety belt only takes a few seconds."
The public education campaign will rely on ministers, day care workers, community leaders, health care providers, police, firefighters and the media.
"Vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for Americans from age 6 to 33," Mr. Schmoke said. "It's important to communicate at an early age that seat belts are a habit that should last a lifetime."
The role of city police may prove limited. State law does not permit police to ticket motorists for seat belt violations unless they've been pulled over for some other offense.
On Maryland roads, 672 people died in traffic accidents last year. About 200 probably would have been spared had they worn seat belts, Ms. Beckett said.
SAFETY BELT USE
Here by jurisdiction is the percentage of drivers said to use seat belts regularly.
PLACE BELT .. .. .. .. .. .. ..USERS
Charles .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..77
Anne Arundel .. .. .. .. .. .. ...75
Frederick .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...75
St. Mary's .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..75
Montgomery .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..74
Prince George's . .. .. .. .. .. .73
Baltimore County .. .. .. .. .. ..72
Carroll .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..71
Howard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...71
Harford .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..70
Washington .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..55
Baltimore .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 43
Statewide avg. .. .. .. .. .. ..69.2
