The new law makes Kansas eligible to receive $11 million in federal incentive funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation. With the addition of Kansas, 31 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have primary seatbelt laws.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, primary seatbelt laws have a proven track record of increasing state seatbelt use rates. In 2009, the average seatbelt use rate in states with primary enforcement laws was 11 percent higher than in states with secondary enforcement laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that, with the passage of its primary belt law, Kansas will increase its belt use by about 9 percent, cut annual fatalities in passenger cars and light trucks by 8 percent and reduce serious injuries.
According to NHTSA, seatbelt use is the most effective protection against serious crash injuries, reducing the risk by 50 percent.
