Pop Quiz: Of all the vehicles currently on America’s roads, what percentage of occupants—drivers and passengers—wear their seat belts?

A. 28%
B. 51%
C. 64%
D. 83%

Answer: D. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 83% of vehicle occupants are buckled up during daylight hours. Here’s the breakdown by vehicle type:

• Vans: 86%
• SUVs: 86%
• Cars: 84%
• Pickup trucks: 74%

Here it is by region:

• West: 93%
• South: 81%
• Midwest: 79%
• Northeast: 79%

Not surprisingly, seat belt use is higher (by an average of 13%) in states where vehicles can be pulled over because occupants aren’t wearing their seat belts. Such states include:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Washington

Seat belt use on high speed expressways is 90%, as opposed to 80% on lower speed “surface” streets.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Sept. 19, 2008, http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811036.PDF

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