How many states are being urged to toughen safety belt laws by U.S. DOT?

Answer: B — 17

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) actively encourages states to enhance their safety belt laws to improve roadway safety and reduce fatalities. The number 17 signifies a targeted effort by the DOT to focus on states with weaker enforcement mechanisms or laws regarding safety belt usage. By urging these 17 states to adopt stricter regulations, the goal is to create a more uniform standard across the country, ultimately leading to increased compliance among drivers and passengers. This initiative is supported by research indicating that stronger safety belt laws correlate with higher usage rates, which in turn reduces the number of injuries and deaths in traffic incidents.