States Strongly Opposed to Nationalization of Seat Belt Effort

            States Need Funds to Increase Belt Use and Save Lives

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 Just as nationwide seat belt use has
reached an all-time high, the United States Senate has taken funds away from
states to continue seat belt enforcement efforts.  John Moffat, Chair of the
National Association of Governors' Highway Safety Representatives (NAGHSR),
said the states oppose a proposed $15 million earmark of federal highway
safety funds for a national media blitz because the money will come directly
from funds Congress already has designated for states, resulting in a
nationalization of the traffic safety effort and forcing states into a one-
size-fits-all solution.

    The states are concerned over language in Section 338, Title III, of H.R.
2299, the FY 2002 appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation and
related agencies. The Senate version earmarks $15 million of the Section 157
innovative grant program (which represents 34 percent of the program's total
allotment of $44 million) for "national television and radio advertising
campaigns to support the national law enforcement mobilizations, conducted in
all 50 states, aimed at increasing safety belt and child safety seat use and
controlling drunk driving." In reality, this amendment will take away $15
million from funds already authorized for states by Congress to "carry out
innovative projects to promote increased seat belt use rates." The money will
instead be put toward a national public information campaign. Further, the
states have already applied for the FY 2002 157 innovative funds since the
application deadline was August 1.

    This earmark astonishes NAGHSR because it comes at a time when states are
seeing record seat belt use.  The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) announced on August 30 that seat belt use has reached
an all-time high-73 percent. The NAGHSR Chair attributes this success to the
fact that states, working in partnership with NHTSA, are able to develop their
own strategies and campaigns to urge drivers to buckle-up.

    Moffat adds, "Different areas of the country need to be able to use
different messages and tactics to increase belt use. Just this past year, we
have seen success in the South with the 'Click It or Ticket' campaign that
relies heavily on an enforcement message. At the same time, states like
Oklahoma and Ohio have adopted very different tactics but they have all
reported an increase in use rates. State Highway Safety Offices know from
experience that the most effective way to reach the public is by using local
campaigns with local spokespersons such as local law enforcement."

    Moffat is concerned that the proposed reduction in funds will be
particularly damaging to small states like those in New England and in the
West.  The reality, he says, is  "We expect the $15 million to be spent in
large media markets that are heavily populated. Smaller states may never see
the campaign if they are not served by a large media market. So, in effect,
they lose twice. Once, when the money is taken from them and again when the
national safety campaign is conducted and ignores them."

    The NAGHSR Chair says the outcome of this debate is extremely important
not only because of the safety ramifications but also for what it will signify
for the future of the traffic safety effort. "As a country, we have achieved
great success in reducing traffic crashes and fatalities by increasing
occupant protection, reducing drunk driving and other similar strategies. This
has been accomplished through a great partnership between the states and
federal government. States have been allowed to develop their own solutions
based on their needs. Unless this earmark is removed, I fear that we will be
on a dangerous slippery-slope leading to a further federalization of the
traffic safety effort."

    NAGHSR expects a battle over this issue in the coming days. The
Association is hopeful the earmark will be defeated, as both the states and
NHTSA have announced their opposition. The House version of H.R. 2299 does not
include the earmark, so it will have to be debated in the Conference Committee
which will reconcile its version with the Senate version.  The Association is
currently meeting with key legislators to make sure the states' perspective is
heard.

    NAGHSR is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices
of states, territories, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Indian
Nation. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and
state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. For
further information, call NAGHSR at 202-789-0942, e-mail
jadkins@statehighwaysafety.org or visit http://www.statehighwaysafety.org.