A seat belt is an effective safety tool that not only saves lives, but also significantly reduces the severity of the injury that a vehicle occupant may sustain if they were not wearing the device. The lap and shoulder belts prevent ejection from a vehicle and keep people from colliding with the vehicle interior during a crash. They are also designed to manage and absorb forces on the body during a crash.

For example, there were over 23,000 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2020, and 51% were not wearing seat belts, which was 4% higher than in 2019. Seat belts being worn accounted for approximately 14,950 saved lives and could have saved another 2,500 people if other vehicle occupants were wearing seat belts in year 2017.

For drivers and front-seat passengers, using a lap and shoulder belt reduces the risk of fatal injury by 60% in an SUV, van or pickup and by 45% in a car. Seat belt use is lower among younger males. Among female drivers of all ages 93% of front seat occupants were observed using their belts, compared with 89% of males.

In 1983 seat belt use nationally was only at 14% and today use is at 92% nationally. The seat belt use rate has slowly rose to today’s level because states have adopted primary seat belt laws. These laws permit law enforcement officers to pull over vehicles where the driver or passengers are not wearing seat belts or properly using child safety seats as required by the law. These laws are most effective with routine enforcement efforts and with well-publicized awareness of enforcement. Unfortunately, there are only 34 states with primary seat belt laws. The evidence shows primary seat belt laws are more effective, and in 2019 were 6% more effective than secondary seat belt law states to get people to buckle up. The primary law has also shown a 7% lower fatality rate. If you live in a state with a secondary law it might be a good idea to advocate for a primary law upgrade with a letter to your State Representative because the results tend to indicate fewer fatalities. So please, buckle up out there and remind your passengers to wear their seat belts as well on every drive you take.