How fleets can reduce seat belt violations and improve safety

Seat belts save lives. That’s a fact. But knowing whether drivers actually wear them is where things get complicated. Different vehicle manufacturers report seat belt use in different ways, making it tough to track across a fleet. Telematics companies like Geotab work to make sense of the inconsistencies, delivering accurate data that helps fleet managers enforce compliance and reduce risk.

How effective is a seat belt?

The numbers speak for themselves. In 2021, 64% of truck drivers who lost their life in large truck collisions were not wearing seat belts, marking an increase from the previous year with 44% in 2020. Further the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that 14% of commercial motor vehicle drivers do not use their seat belts.These statistics prove the importance of seat belt use among truck drivers. Wearing a seat belt greatly reduces the risk of fatal injury in the event of a collision. For occupants in SUVs, pickups and vans, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60%.

In the EU, collisions involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) accounted for 14% of all road fatalities in 2023, with 2,829 fatalities recorded across the EU27​.

Not wearing a seat belt doesn’t just put one person at risk. In a collision, unbelted passengers can become projectiles, injuring others in the vehicle. In Latin America and the Caribbean, seat belt noncompliance is a top factor in road deaths and injuries.

Seat belt compliance and fleet safety trends

In the U.S., 90.4% of drivers and passengers wore seat belts in 2021. That still leaves nearly one in ten unprotected.

Europe shows even wider variation. The European Commission’s Road Safety Charter found that over 95% of front-seat passengers buckle up. In the back seat, usage drops, ranging from 70% to 98%. Italy reports the lowest driver compliance at 62.7%, while France leads at 99.4%.

For fleets, these numbers show that compliance isn’t universal, which makes seat belt tracking essential for safety and liability protection. Fleets that prioritize enforcement reduce risk, avoid fines and save lives.

Legal consequences of not wearing a seat belt

Seat belt laws vary across regions, but the penalties can be steep. In Ontario, Canada, drivers caught without a seat belt face fines ranging from $200 to $1,000, along with two demerit points on their license.

In the United States, enforcement differs by state. In states with primary enforcement, law enforcement officers can stop and fine drivers solely for not wearing a seat belt. In secondary enforcement states, officers can issue seat belt citations only if the driver has already been pulled over for another violation.

For commercial fleets, seat belt violation fines can add up quickly, increasing costs and putting compliance scores at risk. Making sure drivers buckle up helps fleets avoid unnecessary penalties and maintain safety standards.

Why reporting seat belt data is important

Different vehicle models, makes, and years often report seat belt data in inconsistent ways. Without a reliable system to gather this information, it becomes difficult for fleet managers to monitor driver compliance effectively. Accurate seat belt data not only keeps drivers accountable but also protects fleets from legal risks and costly incidents.

Understanding common seat belt problems and solutions helps fleet managers address compliance challenges and improve safety enforcement.

Seat belts remain the simplest, most effective defense against severe injury or death in a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 51% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2020 weren’t wearing a seat belt. Of the 23,824 people who died in motor vehicle collisions that year, the NHTSA estimates that 14,955, nearly 62%, could have survived if they had buckled up. For fleet operators, those numbers are a clear call to action.

The challenge of obtaining seat belt data

Collecting seat belt data isn’t as straightforward as it seems. A vehicle’s seat belt status, either buckled or unbuckled, should be easy to track, but several complications arise:

• Manufacturer-specific reporting: Each vehicle make and model uses different On-Board Diagnostics Parameter IDs (OBD-II PIDs), meaning data is stored in various locations. One vehicle might register a buckled belt, while another could misread it as an open door signal.
• Irregular data transmission: Some systems broadcast seat belt data automatically, while others require a manual request from the engine computer. In some cases, data is transmitted only once the belt’s status changes.
• Erratic (“bouncy”) signals: When a vehicle starts, seat belt data can fluctuate wildly before stabilizing, producing dozens of false buckled/unbuckled signals within seconds. Telematics systems must filter out this "noise" for accurate readings.
• Driver behavior: Some drivers misuse seat belts, like buckling them behind their backs or removing them mid-trip. This creates challenges in accurately verifying data and enforcing proper usage.

How Geotab solves the problem

Geotab’s GO device tackles these issues head-on. It uses advanced detection and verification algorithms to process seat belt information across a wide range of vehicle types. The system:

• Scans through all broadcasted data to test all the various seat belt requests.
• Identifies possible seat belt data to detect if it is, in fact, seat belt data and not some other piece of data such as the driver door opening.
• Skips false data and returns to search for another piece of accurate seat belt data.
• Accounts for various random seat belt events such as:
  • Drivers unbuckling their seat belt to deliver a package but leaving the ignition on
  • Drivers unbuckling at high speeds to get something out of their pockets
  • Drivers buckling up before the ignition is turned on
  • Drivers unbuckling after the ignition is off
  • Drivers unbuckling before coming to a complete stop

Only once the data passes Geotab’s verification process does the GO device log it for fleet managers to review. This ensures accuracy, reduces false reports, and gives fleets a clear picture of their drivers’ safety habits.

Implementing seat belt policies in your fleet

Rolling out a seat belt policy for your fleet doesn’t need to be a drawn-out process. Geotab’s reporting tools make it easier to track and enforce compliance, allowing you to integrate seat belt checks into your regular safety routines.

Here’s how to get started:

• Activate the seat belt rule in MyGeotab. This feature automatically flags violations, helping you monitor driver behavior without adding extra manual checks.
• Set up real-time driver feedback. Alerts can notify drivers immediately when they’re on the road without buckling up. Instant feedback often leads to quicker behavior changes.
• Run detailed violation reports. Download the Top 5 Seatbelt Violations Report from the Geotab Marketplace to identify repeat offenders and uncover patterns that need addressing.

Once you’ve collected the data, don’t let it sit idle. Talk to drivers who consistently show violations. Conversations like these open the door for targeted training and help address any misconceptions about seat belt safety. For stubborn cases, dashboard cameras can offer extra enforcement and evidence when needed.

Next Steps

Geotab continuously updates its platform to stay ahead of changing vehicle technology. New seat belt data for additional models and makes is added regularly, and the detection algorithms are constantly refined to capture the most accurate information possible.

Managing seat belts is just one part of a larger safety strategy. Geotab offers tools to improve driver behavior, ensure compliance, and reduce fleet risk. Learn more by exploring our fleet safety solutions.

For insights from other fleet operators or to ask questions about driver safety, join the conversation on the Geotab Community.

Originally published on January 2, 2015.