Thank you, Tim. Good afternoon!

Tennessee is a beautiful State! I've driven across it several times, and I always enjoy the people and the scenery. But I'm not here today as a tourist. I'm here as a safety advocate from the National Transportation Safety Board. And I bring an important message to share.

On World Health Day tomorrow, we are reminded that "road safety is no accident." Across the world, motor vehicle crashes kill 1.2 million people each year. More than 50 million are injured. Tennessee can do its part to address this global problem by implementing a primary seat belt enforcement law.

Primary enforcement is the single greatest life-saving measure that Tennessee can enact this year. That's because seat belts are 44 to 73 percent effective at preventing death from a motor vehicle crash. And primary enforcement raises a State's seat belt use rate by 5 to 18 percent. A higher belt use rate means a lower fatality rate - fewer people dying!

For 37 years, the National Transportation Safety Board has been the conscience, if you will, of the United States' transportation community. The Safety Board has investigated accidents and made recommendations with the goal of preventing future accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Although the Board is well known for investigating airline crashes, the Board is additionally responsible for the other areas of transportation - marine, pipeline, railroad, and highway.

The Board is particularly concerned with highway crashes because over 90 percent of transportation-related deaths occur on the highway. In 2002, about 35 thousand motor vehicle occupants were killed in highway crashes, almost 20 thousand of whom were unrestrained. We do not take a position on legislation lightly, and only after we have examined the issues and determined that legislation can improve transportation safety. That is the case with primary seat belt enforcement legislation.

The Safety Board initially recommended primary enforcement in 1995, under then Chairman Jim Hall from Tennessee. This was after a study of seat belt use in California revealed that belt use substantially increased after California amended its seat belt law and authorized primary enforcement. In 1997, the Board re-examined the issue and concluded that primary enforcement laws should apply to all seating positions, and strong fines and penalty points should be imposed on violators. Primary enforcement is on the Board's list of Most Wanted safety recommendations; we believe strongly in the power of this recommendation to save lives!

In 2003, Tennessee's observed belt use rate was almost 68 percent. Tennessee has made great progress, but 68 percent is 11 percent lower than the national average, and more than 30 percent of Tennesseans aren't buckling up. Belt use among fatally injured occupants is even lower. From 1994 through 2002, more than 70 percent of those killed in motor vehicle crashes weren't using restraints. By enacting a primary enforcement seat belt law, Tennessee could raise belt use, and save lives and reduce injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes.

I want to thank Senator Williams and Representative Hood for sponsoring Senate Bill 2606 and House Bill 3104! And I ask that Tennessee's legislators emulate the leadership of the Lady Vols and enact this life-saving measure. Thank you.