Georgia Rural Roads It’s About Us
MOST adults always wear a seat belt and ask other to wear one.
This is a campaign to increase seat belt use in rural Georgia.
What can I do?
Choose to always wear a seat belt.
Ask others to always wear a seat belt.
Spread the word using the tools on this page.
Why is this campaign important?
One-third of Georgia’s traffic fatalities occurred in rural counties, though only 21% of the population lives in rural counties.1
Between 2012 and 2021, traffic fatalities increased by 31% in rural counties.2
In 2021, 52% of fatally injured occupants (in all seating positions) in rural areas were unrestrained – compared to 42% in other urban regions.3
In 2021 the number of unrestrained passenger vehicle fatalities increased by 94 fatalities (20%) from 461 in 2019 to 555 in 2021.4
Since 2020 the statewide observed seatbelt usage rate has declined, and the number of unrestrained fatalities increased.4
Many adults in rural GA underestimate seat belt use among their peers.5 This misperception may decrease their likelihood of wearing a seat belt.
Spread the word
We look out for one another. It shows in our communities and in the choices we make.
Most adults always wear their seat belt and ask others to wear one.
When we wear a seat belt and ask others to wear one, it’s not just for us.
Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, in the front seat or the back, ask them to wear a seat belt.
Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, in the front seat or the back, ask them to wear a seat belt.
More people are wearing their seat belts than ever before – in the front and back seats.
What is Georgia Rural Roads?
It’s a campaign to increase seat belt use in rural Georgia. The main message “MOST adults always wear a seat belt and ask others to wear one” is aimed at all of us in rural Georgia.
It’s about us.
Download a Campaign Overview that outlines the key elements of Georgia Rural Roads.
Download the key findings from a 2024 survey on seat belt use in rural Georgia.
Resources
2021 Rural and Urban Comparison
Key findings from a 2021 comparison of rural and urban Georgia counties.
Issue Brief: Examining Crashes and Drivers in Rural Areas 2019-2021
An issue brief examining differences in crashes, driving behavior, and post-crash care in Georgia’s rural and urban counties.
Additional Georgia Traffic Safety Fact sheets.
Georgia Rural Roads is brought to you by
Shepherd Center, a private, not-for-profit hospital in Atlanta, GA specializing in medical treatment, research, and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions.
Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Road NW
Atlanta, GA 30309-1465
Phone: (404) 352-2020
shepherd.org
Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety whose mission is to educate the public on safe driving behaviors; to implement highway safety campaigns and programs that reduce crashes and eliminate injuries and fatalities on Georgia roadways.
Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety
7 M.L.K. Jr Dr SE #643, Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: (404) 656 6996
gahighwaysafety.org
Georgia Rural Roads was developed by
The Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University whose mission is to serve communities and organizations through research, training, and support services to cultivate healthy and safe cultures.
Center for Health and Safety Culture
Montana State University
P.O. Box 170548
Bozeman, MT 59717-0548
Phone: (406) 994-7873
chsculture.org
References
- OASIS 2021, FARS 2021. Rural and urban classifications are based on county census population and not on FHWA land use.
- FARS 2012-2021, OASIS 2012-2021, GDOT Mileage by Route and Road System 445 Reports 2012-2021.
- National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2023, July). Seat belt use in 2022 — Use rates in the states and territories (Traffic Safety Facts Crash Stats. Report No. DOT HS 813 487). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, (n.d.), Georgia Highway Safety Plan: FFY24-FFY26 Triennial.
- Center for Health and Safety Culture. (2024). Survey on seat belt use in rural Georgia. Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana. (N=477).
