When Michigan state trooper Liljohny Drew makes routine traffic stops he also checks to see whether the driver is buckled up African-American seat belt use All age groups 10 percent less likely Ages 18-29 50 percent less likely Details: click here Source: General Motors/Meharry Medical College VIDEO CNN's Ed Garsten goes out on patrol with a Michigan trooper. Windows Media 28K 80K

September 6, 1999
Web posted at: 2:46 p.m. EDT (1846 GMT)

In this story: 'Accidents are not race sensitive' RELATED STORIES, SITES

DETROIT (CNN) -- A study by safety experts shows that African-Americans fall below the national average on seat belt use, but civil rights groups like the NAACP worry that the research will result in more traffic stops of minority motorists.

Research sponsored by a grant from carmaker General Motors to Nashville-based Meharry Medical College shows that blacks in their teens and 20s are half as likely to buckle up than whites and Hispanics in the same age group.

"One hundred percent seat belt use among African-Americans could save as many as 1,300 lives per year, prevent 26,000 injuries and reduce societal costs by $2.6 billion," the study says.

Currently, 14 states and the District of Columbia have primary seat belt laws, measures that allow police to stop motorists who aren't wearing seat belts.

The fear black drivers will be targeted by police is unfounded, says U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan, who told CNN that the Congressional Black Caucus favors such primary seat belt measures in every state.

Conyers says black drivers should not fear being targeted by police

"We want seat belt (laws) enforced. We think it's a good thing. It saves lives," Conyers said. "Automobile accidents are not race sensitive."

Michigan state trooper Liljohny Drew, who is black, says the study will be on his mind as he patrols, but it won't affect the racial makeup of those he pulls over.

Meantime, the federal government hopes the word gets out that seat belts mean safety for everyone, regardless of race.

"By identifying lower seat belt use among African-Americans as an important public safety issue and recommending ways to increase seat belt use, the study will help us reach out to all Americans, especially to urban populations, to improve highway safety," said Ricardo Martinez, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

President Clinton's goal is 90 percent seat belt usage by 2005.

Detroit Bureau Chief Ed Garsten contributed to this report

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