Policy Statement on Increasing Seat Belt Use


Note:  Supervisors, Managers, and Teamleaders:  Please provide a copy of 
this e-mail to all employees that do not have access to e-mail.


In Reply Refer To:
Mail Stop 246


                       MEMORANDUM

                                                       June 2, 2000


To:       All U.S. Geological Survey Employees

From:     James C. Leupold   //s//
          Chief, Office of Program Support

Subject:  Policy Statement on Increasing Seat Belt Use

To save lives and reduce motor vehicle injuries, U.S. Geological (USGS) 
employees are to always wear seat belts while on official Government 
business.  Additionally, I strongly urge USGS employees to use seatbelts 
while off duty, to use child restraint systems for their children, 
and to encourage other family members to always wear seat belts.

Seat belts have been proven to be the most effective measure in preventing 
deaths and serious injury in motor vehicle accident.  Every hour someone 
dies in the United States because they did not buckle up, and every 14 
seconds someone is injured in a traffic accident.  Although studies have 
shown that a majority of drivers wear seat belts, we need to encourage 
those who do not to get in the habit of buckling up every time they get 
behind the wheel.

The motor vehicle injury problem affects everyone.  The loss of a loved 
one, personal pain and suffering, and dealing with a seriously injured 
family member all have a significant impact on our lives.  Additionally, 
individuals must bear the economic costs of motor vehicle accidents an 
average of $580 per year for every person in America.  When individuals do 
not wear a seat belt, accident costs increase considerably.

An estimated 9,500 lives are saved by the use of seat belts each year. 
Research has found that lap and shoulder belts reduce the risk of fatal 
injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 
45 percent and the risk of moderate to severe injury by 50 percent.  Using 
seat belts is an easy habit to get into, and it only takes 3 seconds to 
buckle up.

I am personally committed to saving lives and preventing serious injury in 
motor vehicle accidents.  We know that wearing seat belts will help 
achieve these goals.  I ask for your full and enthusiastic support in 
these efforts.  Remember, Think Twice? Work Safe!