The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) will release results from a recent survey on statewide seat belt use and announce a new initiative to reinforce seat belt safety for teenage drivers.

WHEN:         

Thursday, September 19, 2019

1 p.m.

WHERE:      

MDOT MVA Baltimore City Branch

5425 Reisterstown Road

Baltimore, MD 21215

WHO:            

Pete K. Rahn, MDOT Secretary

Chrissy Nizer, MDOT MVA Administrator and Governor Larry Hogan’s Highway Safety Representative

Greg Slater, Administrator, MDOT State Highway Administration

Jim Ports, Executive Director, Maryland Transportation Authority

Jacques Mather, MD, MPH, Director, Center for Injury Prevention and Policy, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma, University of Maryland

WHY:            

In 2018, 105 people died in crashes on Maryland roadways while not wearing a seat belt. Correctly wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of a fatal injury by 45 percent. National data shows that seat belt use tends to be lower among teen drivers, and that car crashes are the most common cause of death for people ages 5 through 24. In Maryland, every driver and passenger must wear a seat belt.