Secretary Slater To Try To Increase Seat Belt Use Amoung African Americans
26 June 2000
SECRETARY SLATER KICKS OFF Noting that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for African American
children through age 14 and the second leading killer of young black adults ages 15-24, U.S.
Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater and Meharry Medical College today convened a blue
ribbon panel to identify strategies to increase seat belt use within the minority community.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), black male
teens travel fewer vehicle miles than their white counterparts, however, they are much more likely
to die in a motor vehicle crash. Seat belt use among African Americans is four percentage points
lower than the national average, an improvement from the10 percentage point gap that existed in
1996.
"We are continuing to build upon the strategies the Clinton-Gore administration used to
increase seat belt use among all Americans," Transportation Secretary Slater said. "This panel
further underscores the commitment of President Clinton and Vice-President Gore to safety as their
highest transportation priority."
The Blue Ribbon Panel to Increase Seat Belt Use Among African Americans includes an
array of distinguished members from the medical, academic, legal, business, athletic, law
enforcement and activist communities.
"I am delighted that members of the panel are offering their talents to help increase seat belt
use in the African American community," said Rosalyn G. Millman, NHTSA's Deputy
Administrator. "With some of America's best minds creating improved approaches to educate the
public, we can save thousands of lives and prevent countless injuries every year."
The panel will meet on Monday, June 26 in Washington, DC, and is expected to convene
three or four times by September 2000. Its report will be completed by mid-October.
Meharry Medical College is a 130-year-old Historically Black College and University with
renowned credibility in the African American community. In July, 1999, Meharry released a report
entitled "Achieving a Credible Health and Safety Approach to Increasing Seat Belts Among
African Americans" which confirmed that seat belt use among African Americans is consistently
lower than the national average. The report also observed that 100 percent seat belt use by African
Americans could save as many as 1,300 lives per year and prevent 26,000 injuries at a cost savings
of nearly $2.6 billion.
BLUE RIBBON PANEL TO INCREASE
SEAT BELT USE AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS