Oregon is the nation's number one state for seatbelt use. According to a survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 96.5% of people reported using their seatbelts.
This is up from 2015 when 95.5% of people indicated they used their seatbelts regularly while driving. In 2019, the state had the lowest percentage of fatalities, with just 28% of the victims unrestrained. Seatbelt laws in the state require all passengers to wear their seatbelts or face a primary violation.
Around 95.9% of those surveyed in Hawaii indicated they wore their seatbelts, slightly lower than those in Oregon. In 2018 and 2019, they had a higher percentage and were, in fact, number one for those two years.
However, Hawaii had a much higher percentage of fatalities involving unrestrained passengers. About 35% of people in 2019 were fatally injured in a crash, in part due to not wearing a seatbelt.
According to the NHTSA survey, Iowa had a reported 95.9% seatbelt usage, making it the third-best state for buckling up. Interestingly, only front-seat passengers are required to buckle up in Iowa.
Usage has improved dramatically since 2015. However, Iowa has an astounding 40% of passengers involved in fatal incidents who were unrestrained at the time of their demise.
According to 2022 data, California’s seatbelt usage stands at 95.3%. However, usage was higher in 2015 and all the years preceding 2022.
In 2019, around 33% of fatal crashes involved drivers and passengers who were unrestrained. California law indicates that all passengers must be restrained or may face a primary traffic violation.
Washington’s fatal crashes involved 34% of unbuckled drivers. Nevertheless, the state has consistently done well with between 93 and 94% seatbelt usage. In 2022, Washington surveyed at 93.9% for seatbelt usage.
Seat belt laws may have a lot to do with their good seatbelt habits as Washingtonians are required buckle up whether they are in the front seat or back seat.
Maine ranked pretty high in the percentage of fatalities in which persons were unrestrained—a staggering 48%. Interestingly, Maine residents claimed to be buckling up, with 93.4% saying they wear their seatbelts. That percentage, however, was the highest it had been since 2015.
Maine requires that all passengers wear a seatbelt in the car, and in not doing so, you could face a primary traffic violation.
Like Maine, Minnesota also requires seatbelts for all passengers to better ensure the safety of everyone inside in the event of a crash.
Minnesota’s seatbelt use is also comparable to Maine’s at 93.3% - just 0.1% lower. The percentage of fatalities involving unrestrained persons is much lower, however, at just 31%.
While Nevada requires seatbelt use for all occupants inside a vehicle, only a secondary citation may be given for seatbelt violations. This means that a citation can only be given along with another violation.
Nevertheless, 93% of people are buckling up even if they are much less likely to get a ticket for a seatbelt violation. In 2019, only around 35% of unrestrained occupants involved in a fatal crash were mortally wounded.
Michigan’s seatbelt usage was reported at 92.9%, according to the NHTSA survey, just missing the top 10 spots for seatbelt safety. Since 2015, their numbers have ranged from 92% to nearly 95%.
In 2019, Michigan had the fourth lowest percentage of total fatalities, where persons were unrestrained at 32%. In Michigan, only front passengers are required to wear a seatbelt.
Seatbelt violations in Montana can only be cited as a secondary infraction, but this leniency doesn’t seem to be doing Montana much good when it comes to fatal crashes.
In 2019, a whopping 57% of victims in a fatal crash were not wearing their seatbelts. Fortunately, seatbelt use has risen significantly since 2015, from 77% to an impressive 92.9%.
New Jersey seatbelt usage was reported at 92.9% in 2022, after consistently staying in the 90-percentile since 2015. Meanwhile, New Jersey had a 41% rate of crash fatalities involving unrestrained occupants
Seatbelt laws dictate that front passengers not wearing a seatbelt is a primary violation, while rear-seat passengers not wearing a seatbelt can be cited as a secondary violation.
Alabama has made strides in seat belt usage, with 92.7% of occupants buckling up in 2022. However, despite this high rate, statistics reveal that 53% of total fatalities occurred among individuals who were unrestrained in 2019.
Alabama law mandates seat belt use for all drivers and passengers in vehicles manufactured after 1966. Front seats are a primary violation, while rear seats are a secondary violation.
In Maryland, seat belt usage reached 92.7% in 2022. This is supported by 2019 statistics that revealed 36% of total fatalities occurred among individuals who were unrestrained.
Failure to wear a seat belt in the front seat in Maryland is a primary offense, allowing law enforcement officers to pull over and ticket drivers solely for this violation. On the other hand, in the rear seats, seat belt violations are considered secondary offenses.
In West Virginia, seat belt usage reached 92.5% in 2022, indicating a positive trend in road safety. However, despite this relatively high rate, statistics from 2019 reveal that 43% of total fatalities occurred among individuals who were unrestrained.
To address this issue, West Virginia enforces a primary seat belt law for the front seat only, allowing law enforcement officers to pull over and ticket drivers solely for this violation.
Connecticut boasts a commendable seat belt usage rate of 92.1% in 2022, reflecting a commitment to road safety. However, despite this high compliance, data from 2019 reveals that 42% of total fatalities occurred among unrestrained individuals.
Connecticut enforces primary seat belt violations for the front seats and secondary for the rear seats.
In New York, a state that enforces its seatbelt laws for all occupants as a primary violation, 91.9% reported regular seat belt usage. However, this was a -1.3% change from the previous year.
The rate of fatalities among all fatal crashes in New York was at 35% in 2019. That year, it also had its highest reported seatbelt use at 94.2%, underscoring the importance of seatbelts in reducing fatalities.
Utah had its highest seatbelt use rate in 2022, at 91.8%, up from 87.2% in 2015. In 2019, it had the third-lowest percentage of fatalities involving unrestrained persons, at 32%.
Utah follows suit with most states, requiring seatbelt use for all vehicle occupants. Not wearing a seatbelt, is considered a primary violation – enough to get you a ticket.
Alaska also has the same seatbelt requirements as Utah, granting primary violations for offenders. Their seatbelt use is only slightly lower, at 91.5%.
Sadly, among those in fatal crashes, not wearing may have contributed to many of the fatalities, as 46% of the deceased were not buckled. Nonetheless, in 2019, there were just 22 unrestrained fatalities out of 48 in total.
North Carolina had a fatality rate of 45% among unrestrained individuals, just below Alaska. However, there, 408 out of 897 crashes involved unrestrained persons.
Overall, the state ranks 23rd for buckling up, with 90.9% reporting that they wear their seatbelts. Front seat violations are a primary offense, while rear seats are a secondary offense.
South Carolina ranks 22nd for buckling up, not too far from North Carolina, with a reported 90.6% seatbelt use. It differs when it comes to law, requiring all passengers to wear a seatbelt at the risk of a primary violation.
But even with mandates designed to protect all passengers, South Carolina suffered from a 48% unrestrained fatality rate in 2019 - 302 out of 634 total.
Tennessee had a 44% fatality rate in 2019 among unrestrained passengers in fatal crashes. Still, their seatbelt usage was reported at 90.5% in 2022, and even higher (+1.3%) in 2019.
Tennessee law only requires that front passengers wear their seatbelts, but hopefully people start buckling up their rear seat passengers anyway.
Delaware may require all occupants to buckle up, but among those surveyed, only 90.4% claimed to wear their seatbelts. That’s still about 10% not wearing their seatbelt as mandated by law!
But at least they are successfully avoiding fatal crashes. In 2019, there were 72 fatalities, and out of those, only 24 people were unrestrained – 33%.
Texas had a huge number of fatalities in 2019, an astounding 2,325 in total. Among those, 892 were unrestrained - but that just happens to be only 38%. Considering their reckless driving, it's safe to say that the mandates are probably saving lives to some degree.
Texas ties with Delaware at 90.4% for seatbelt use. Could they be doing better? Absolutely!
Despite Vermont's relatively high seatbelt usage rate of 90.4%, it stands on the lower end of the nation, just missing the top 25. Notably, even in a state with commendable compliance, there remains room for improvement.
Vermont reported a concerning 47% of total fatalities in 2019, where individuals were unrestrained.
Georgia's seatbelt usage rate is subpar, at 89.3%, highlighting the importance of sustained efforts to educate motorists about the critical role of seatbelt usage in preventing injuries and saving lives on the road.
Georgia shows a troubling 39% of total fatalities where individuals were unrestrained.
Missouri struggles with a seatbelt usage rate of 88.9%, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to promote greater adherence to seatbelt safety regulations and mitigate the risk of traffic-related fatalities.
Missouri ranks among the worst states, with a staggering 59% of total fatalities involving unrestrained individuals.
Florida has a law requiring front-seat passengers only to buckle up. Unfortunately, that may not be doing much for rear-seat passengers as 42% of fatalities involved persons not buckled up.
Florida's seatbelt usage rate is disappointing, at 88.3%, signaling the need for targeted interventions and public awareness campaigns to address barriers to seatbelt compliance and reduce the incidence of preventable injuries and fatalities.
Kansas ranks among the worst states, with a staggering 43% of total fatalities involving unrestrained individuals.
Kansas demonstrates poor seatbelt usage, with a rate of just 87.2%, calling attention to the need for targeted interventions and policy measures to promote greater adherence to seatbelt safety regulations.
Rhode Island's seatbelt usage rate is subpar, at 87.1%, indicating opportunities for enhanced enforcement measures and educational campaigns to bolster seatbelt utilization and reduce the risk of fatalities.
Rhode Island reports a concerning 51% of total fatalities where individuals were unrestrained.
Colorado struggles with a disappointing seatbelt usage rate of 87%, demonstrating the importance of collaborative efforts between government agencies, law enforcement, and community stakeholders to address barriers to seatbelt usage.
Colorado demonstrates a worrying 51% of total fatalities attributed to unrestrained individuals.
Louisiana ranks among the worst states for seatbelt use, with a staggering 51% of total fatalities involving unrestrained individuals.
Louisiana has a concerning seatbelt usage rate of 86.1%, indicating persistent challenges in achieving widespread adherence to seatbelt safety regulations despite ongoing efforts to promote awareness.
Making the top 10 worst states for buckling up, Ohio's seatbelt usage rate is lacking at 80.8%, highlighting the need to promote seatbelt safety across the state.
Ohio reports a concerning 48% of total fatalities attributed to unrestrained individuals. In the state, only front passengers are required to buckle – and that’s only as a secondary citation.
Coming in as the ninth worst state, North Dakota falls behind with a disappointing seatbelt usage rate of 80.6%, suggesting that multifaceted approaches are needed to address barriers to seatbelt compliance.
North Dakota exhibits a high percentage of 46% of total fatalities involving unrestrained individuals.
Arkansas demonstrates poor seatbelt usage, with a rate of just 79.1%, indicating gaps in enforcement and education efforts aimed at promoting seatbelt safety among residents.
Arkansas shows a concerning 47% of total fatalities attributed to unrestrained individuals. In the state, only front seats are required to buckle.
New Hampshire shows a concerning 62% of total fatalities where individuals were unrestrained. This is the highest percentage of fatalities where individuals were unrestrained in the entire country.
Interestingly, New Hampshire admitted to having a seatbelt problem, reporting a usage rate of just 75.7%. New Hampshire happens to be the only state without a seatbelt mandate of any kind. Ultimately, this proves the importance of seatbelt laws and education regarding seatbelt safety.
