CMV Safety Belt Program Facts and Stats
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) has a number of different safety rules, programs, and regulations in place to help ensure the safety of both drivers and other motorists. One such program is the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Belt Program.
What is the Safety Belt Program?
The CMV Safety Belt Program was created in accordance with section 392.16 of the FMCSR (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations), regarding the use of seat belts in commercial motor vehicles. This section was first added to the FMCSR in 1970 and then updated in 1995. It states that any commercial motor vehicle which has a seat belt assembly installed cannot be driven unless the driver has correctly fastened their seat belt assembly.
Along with the FMCSR regulations, the FMCSA partnered with private-sector organizations in 2003 as a way to promote the proper use of safety belts by commercial motor vehicle drivers. This is referred to as the CMV Safety Belt Partnership and includes participation from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the FMCSA, the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the Motor Freight Carriers Association, and the National Private Truck Council.
Does the Safety Belt Program Work?
Since instituting the Safety Belt Program and the CMV Safety Belt Partnership, there has been several studies conducted to determine the percentage of commercial vehicle drivers that follow the stated regulations. One such survey, the Seat Belt Usage by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Survey, compared results gathered in 2010 to results in 2013. What they found is an increase in safety belt usage from 78% in 2010 to 84% in 2013.
Within this survey, the usage rates differed from region to region. In the Western half of the United States, safety belt usage was as high as 91%, while the Northeast region had a rate of 76%. One of the largest increases was for commercial bus drivers, which climbed from 47% safety belt usage to a high of 74%.
Who Does the Safety Belt Program Apply To?
Every commercial motor vehicle driver is required to wear his or her safety belt. The Safety Belt Program was designed to help ensure drivers used their safety belts and it appears to be working. With the ATA and the FMCSA working together, drivers are held accountable for disobeying regulations and not wearing a safety belt could affect a driver’s CSA score. If you are a CMV driver, make sure that you always fasten your safety belt properly. For business owners, promote safety and make sure your drivers are aware of these regulations.
If you have any further questions about the Safety Belt Program or other Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, contact us at Office Tenders, we would love to help you out.
