More Georgians ‘click it’ rather than ‘ticket’ as state ranks 4th in seatbelt use
It seems like road-safety is a priority for Georgians and it shows in the latest poll conducted by injury lawyers Bader Scott. Georgia ranks the fourth highest state in seat belt use, with an impressive 95% of car-riders using the safety measure.
The numbers
The study examined seat belt usage from 2015 to 2022 and it seems Georgia was consistently in the top 5%, aside from a slight dip in 2022 where the rates fell to 89%. Overall, only 1 in 25 Georgians were not wearing their seat belt.
Despite the number of traffic accidents increasing by 22% in 2015, seat belt use by Georgia drivers was at an all-time high, topping out at 97%. This could be attributed to a then-stronger economy and cheaper gas making drivers use their vehicles more, according to the National Safety Council.
However, despite the rise in accidents, it seems the Click It or Ticket campaign, rolled out in 2004, has done its job. In 2017 alone, seat belts have saved an estimated 14,955 lives nationwide, and half of the above-mentioned accidents in Georgia involved unbelted occupants.
Alabama, on the other hand, remains in the 92-93% range, making it the 22nd highest rated state in seat belt use. States with the highest, Hawaii (3rd), Oregon (2nd) and California (1st) come in at close to 96% across the board.
Penalties for not wearing a seat belt
In Georgia, drivers will most likely get ticketed, but the amount of the ticket depends on the passengers’ ages and how many previous offenses have been committed:
$15 ticket for an unbelted adult driver or a front-seat passenger
$25 for a child aged 8-17 not wearing a seat belt; the driver gets ticketed
$50 for a child under 4 who is not in a proper car seat or safety restraint; for the second offense, it is $100
What do you think about Georgia’s seat belt laws? Sound off in the comments, or you can email me or find me on Instagram.
