WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- If tougher seat belt laws were enacted and enforced in 30 states, hundreds of lives would be saved each year, according to the National Safety Council.
The non-profit group is sending a copy of its study, released Monday, to the governors of the 30 states, urging them to take action, USA Today reported.
About 1,400 lives could have been saved if states had acted on the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendation in 1995 for tighter seat belt laws, accordig to the study.
"It's tragic," said NTSB Chairwoman Ellen Engleman. A tougher seat belt law "is likely to save more lives than possibly any single piece of legislation a state will consider."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes seat belt use has increased from 58 percent in 1994 to 79 percent due to some states passing laws and stepping up enforcement.
"But the riskiest drivers, the ones most likely to crash, the ones most likely to drink and drive, are still not wearing seat belts," said Jeffrey Runge, director of the NHTSA.
