By Sarah Roebuck
EMS1
Despite evidence that seat belts save lives, some states still lag behind when it comes to buckling up.
A recent analysis conducted by High Rise Financial, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has highlighted the states where seat belt usage is the lowest.
The study examined seat belt compliance from 2016 to 2023, focusing on two main factors: the change in usage percentage between 2022 and 2023, and the average rates over the 3-year period from 2021 to 2023. The findings point out the states where drivers and passengers are the least likely to wear seat belts.
While the national average sits at 91.9% in 2023, some states still struggle to meet this standard, according to the analysis.
The top 10 states with the lowest seat belt usage:
- New Hampshire
- Virginia
- Nebraska
- Massachusetts
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- Oklahoma
- Ohio
Here’s a closer look at the states with the lowest seat belt usage:
- New Hampshire
New Hampshire has the lowest seat belt usage rate in the country, with only 76% of residents consistently buckling up, according to High Rise Financial. Despite a modest 2.91% increase in compliance from 2022 to 2023, the state remains at the bottom due to its unique laws. New Hampshire is the only U.S. state without a primary seat belt law for adults, meaning that officers cannot stop drivers solely for not wearing a seat belt, the analysis states. - Virginia
Virginia comes in second, with an average seat belt usage rate of 77%, according to the analysis. The state saw a decline of 3.17% from 2022 to 2023, reflecting a troubling trend that could affect road safety if not addressed. - Nebraska
With an average usage rate of 78%, Nebraska saw a slight increase of 1.31% between 2022 and 2023, the analysis states. - Massachusetts
Massachusetts also averaged 78%, though it saw a significant 4.42% increase in compliance from 2022 to 2023. The state’s low historical compliance rates are why it remains near the bottom of the list, according to the analysis. - Wyoming
Wyoming rounds out the top five, with an 80% seat belt usage rate. Although the state saw a notable 4.6% increase from 2022 to 2023, it remains below the national average, according to the analysis.
