MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin officials say a new unofficial
survey suggests that nearly four out of five motorists buckle up.
That would be an all-time high.
     The State Patrol’s Bureau of Transportation Safety says a
statewide survey last year found seatbelt use around 73 percent
last year.
     State Patrol Maj. Dan Lonsdorf says the improvement to 79
percent is encouraging, although the state still ranks below the
national average of 84 percent.
     He credits the improvement to a law last year that allows
officers to ticket unbuckled drivers and passengers even if the
officer didn’t witness another violation.
     Lonsdorf says young drivers still need to be educated. He says
only about 69 percent of drivers ages 16 to 25 buckle up. Women are
also more likely than men to use seatbelts.