Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta is expected to announce today a national campaign of a public-private partnership to increase safety belt use among the nation's more than 11 million commercial drivers.
A Department of Transportation first-ever survey of seat belt use among large truck drivers is expected to show that a little less than half buckle up compared to about 80 percent for the general U.S. driving population.
This summer, the National Highway Traffic Safety administration released statistics showing that drivers of sport utility vehicles and vans have the highest usage rates, at 83 percent, while pickup truck drivers have the lowest rates, at 69 percent. The survey did not mention large truck drivers.
