Fast facts

n Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 34.

n Even though most people buckle up, the majority of motor vehicle occupants killed in crashes last year were unrestrained.

n 73 percent of vehicle occupants who were involved in a fatal crash in 2002 and were restrained survived.

n Safety belts save the lives of more than 14,000 motorists each year and save $50 billion in medical care, lost productivity and other injury-related costs nationwide.

n Last year seat belt use increased by 4 points - to 79 percent - the highest rate ever recorded.

n The remaining 21 percent who don't wear set belts are mainly teens and young men ages 18 to 34.

n Teenage drivers in states with secondary seat belt laws were far less likely to be buckled up in a fatal crash.

n More than 4,500 teens ages 16 to 19 died and some 320,000 were seriously injured in traffic crashes in 2002.

n Young drivers ages 15 to 20 account for 6.6 percent of licensed drivers, but represent 14 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration