Michigan Among Top 10 U.S. States Where Americans Are Failing to Buckle Up

Article courtesy of Simmrin Law.

Drivers in These States Are Reluctant to Use Safety Belts While Driving. Where Does Michigan Stand?

A new study reveals that Michigan has the second lowest rate of seat belt use in the United States.

The research by personal injury law firm Simmrin Law analyzed state data for seat belt use rates from 2016 to 2023 for each U.S. state via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Average seat belt use was calculated to identify the states where Americans are least likely to buckle up while driving.

Michigan ranks second with an average seat belt use rate of 78.57% across its substantial population of 6,986,587 licensed drivers — nearly 12 percentage points lower than the national average of 90.38%. From 2016 to 2023, the Great Lakes State showed inconsistent compliance, with rates ranging from a low of 73.70% in 2017 to a high of 80.40% in 2023.

Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Simmrin Law commented:

“The study highlights that Michigan reported the second lowest seat belt compliance rates in the U.S.

“Failing to wear a seat belt significantly increases the risk of fatal injuries in traffic accidents. These low compliance rates are particularly concerning given that seat belts are proven to reduce the risk of death by 45% for front-seat passenger car occupants.

“State leaders and policymakers can increase public awareness about the importance of seat belt use, and consider strengthening seat belt laws to primary enforcement status in states where they remain secondary violations.”

Table for Extended Results:

Top 10 U.S. States With the Lowest Seat-Belt Use Rate
State	Average (2016-2023)	Number of licensed drivers	Rank
New Jersey	73.30%	1,456,500	1
Michigan	78.57%	6,986,587	2
South Dakota	79.68%	603,643	3
Missouri	79.73%	1,968,907	4
Arkansas	79.86%	4,791,450	5
Virginia	80.61%	543,057	6
Nevada	81.23%	6,822,902	7
Louisiana	81.26%	3,278,143	8
Wyoming	81.60%	421,473	9
Ohio	81.63%	8,030,421	10

The study was conducted by Simmrin Law, an experienced personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting clients’ rights and maximizing claim value.

Methodology

The research analyzed state data for seat belt use rates from 2016 to 2023 for each state via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Average seat belt use rates were calculated to identify the top states with the lowest compliance rates.