Business Fleet Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Safety Tip: Seat Belt Check List

As an IIHS survey underscores, some people don't bother to buckle up -- particularly when they're riding in the back seat. A simple reminder from the driver can make all occupants safer.

September 11, 2017
Safety Tip: Seat Belt Check List

 

2 min to read


“Is everyone buckled up?”

It’s a good idea for fleet drivers to make this simple question a permanent part of their pre-trip routine whenever they have passengers. Unfortunately, some adults neglect to wear safety belts on every trip, especially when they’re riding in the back seat.

Ad Loading...

Last year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a seat-belt use survey between June and August. Of the 1,172 respondents who had been a rear passenger during the previous six months, 72% said they always buckle their seat belt in the back seat. In contrast, 91% said they always use their seat belt when seated in the front. That’s a noteworthy difference.

What many drivers don’t realize is that one passenger’s decision to ditch the seat belt can have consequences for other people in the vehicle. A 2013 study from the University of Virginia found that drivers are about twice as likely to suffer fatal injuries in a crash when the left rear passenger is unrestrained compared to when that passenger is wearing a seat belt.

“In the rear seat a lap/shoulder belt is the primary means of protection in a frontal crash,” said Jessica Jermakian, an IIHS senior research engineer who served as co-author of the study. “Without it, bodies can hit hard surfaces or other people at full speed, leading to serious injuries.”

Adults 35 to 54 years old are at a greater risk for neglecting to buckle up, according to the IIHS study. A total of 66% of the adults in this group reported always using a belt in back, compared with 76% of adults 55 and older and 73% of adults 18 to 34.

Nearly 40% of people surveyed said they sometimes don’t wear a seat belt in the back seat because there’s no law requiring it.

Ad Loading...

But 75% of those who don’t always wear a seat belt in the back said they would be more likely to wear one if someone in the car reminded them to do so. Moreover, nearly two-thirds of part-time seat belt users and nonusers acknowledged that audible rear-seat reminders would make them more likely to buckle up.

In 2015, safety belts saved an estimated 13,941 lives. And if everyone buckled up, an additional 2,800 deaths could have been prevented, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

More than half of the people who die in passenger vehicle crashes in the U.S. each year are not wearing a seat belt.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

More Safety

Person holding blue Work Truck folder labeled “Suppliers Your Secret Weapon,” highlighting the importance of vendor partnerships in fleet disaster preparedness
Safetyby Lauren FletcherMay 4, 2026

Your Suppliers Are Part of Your Disaster Plan

Your suppliers can make or break disaster response. Here’s how fleets can reduce vendor risk and keep critical parts flowing when storms hit.

Read More →
Driver looking at damaged red vehicle after crash, illustrating the risks small fleets face when safety practices like inspections, distracted driving prevention, and reporting are overlooked.
Safetyby Lauren FletcherApril 1, 2026

Safety Is Usually the First Priority… Until the Day Gets Busy

Small fleets can improve safety without big budgets by building simple routines, spotting blind spots early, and creating habits that stick.

Read More →
Work Truck graphic reading “Tire Science for Fleets” over a close-up of a spinning car wheel and tire in motion blur on a red vehicle.
SafetyCover Storyby Lauren FletcherMarch 17, 2026

What Wheels Are Actually Doing at 60 MPH | Fleet Vehicle Science Explained

Tire Science for Fleets: Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down why the tire contact patch hits 0 mph and what that means for traction and wear.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SafetyFebruary 4, 2026

Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries

There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Read More →
Todd Palumbo of RoadEazy discusses telematics solutions designed for small and midsize fleets during an At The Show interview with Work Truck.
Safetyby Lauren FletcherDecember 12, 2025

How RoadEazy Is Rethinking Fleet Tech for Smaller Operations

Small and midsize fleets deserve better telematics. RoadEazy’s Todd Palumbo explains how simpler tech and local partners are changing the game.

Read More →
Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safetyby StaffOctober 20, 2025

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A thermometer with a high reading, and traffic behind it on a hot day. Words say the title of the article "Hot Weather Driving Tips for Fleet Drivers: 2025 Edition."
Safetyby Judie NuskeyMay 22, 2025

Hot Weather Driving Tips for Fleet Drivers

As we head into another potentially extreme summer season, the risks for fleet drivers remain high, from engine strain and tire blowouts to unpredictable traffic patterns. An expert shares advice on how fleet drivers can boost their safety during the steamy summer months.

Read More →
An image of people delivering boxes with text reading "Leading With Safety".
SafetyApril 15, 2025

Measuring What Matters: A Personal View on Fleet Safety

Blending data with day-to-day experience can move safety from policy to practice.

Read More →
Image of someone using their phone while driving with text that reads, "Monitoring Phone Use: Clear policies and preventive measures".
SafetyOctober 7, 2024

Should You Check Mobile Phone Records After a Fleet Vehicle Crash?

Obtaining phone records hinges on whether the phones are company-owned and your state’s subpoena and consent laws. However, there are workarounds and best practices to help.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A person's hands hold onto a steering wheel while driving with the words "Top 4 Fleet Safety Policies" in the foreground.
SafetyAugust 22, 2024

4 Policies Every Fleet Safety Program Should Have

Fleet safety policies are crucial for establishing expectations, rules, procedures, and punishments. Here's how to turn your fleet's policies into a formal safety program.

Read More →