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The number of Iowans wearing seat belts is higher than ever before,
according to recent compliance rate estimates by the Iowa Sate Highway
Patrol. Approximately 90 percent of Iowans wear seatbelts, an increase
of 15 percent since 1997. That translates into an additional 420,000
drivers who now buckle-up.  To determine the compliance rate, the Iowa State Highway Patrol
uses methods developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA). That same agency estimates nationwide seatbelt
usage for 2006 at just 81 percent, down one percent from last year.
NHTSA ranked Iowa second in the Midwest behind Illinois for seat
belt compliance during 2005, and 11th nationally. Governor Vilsack's
previously targeted a goal of 95 percent compliance by 2008.
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