Key Statistics on Seat Belt Use and Fatalities

Daily and Nighttime Seat Belt Use

The national estimate for seat belt use during the day by adult front-seat passengers in 2023 was 91.9%. Despite this high rate of compliance, the number of fatalities among those not wearing seat belts remains significant. In 2022, 11,302 people who died in car crashes were not wearing seat belts​ (NHTSA)​​ (Traffic Safety Marketing)​. More unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes at night (6,252) than during the day (4,949), and 57% of those killed at night (6 p.m.–5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts​ (Traffic Safety Marketing)​.

High-Risk Groups

Among young adults aged 18 to 34 who were killed while riding in passenger vehicles in 2022, more than half (60%) were unrestrained, which is one of the highest percentages for all age groups. Additionally, men are overrepresented in unrestrained fatalities: 54% of men (8,098) and 41% of women (3,201) who died in 2022 were not wearing seat belts​ (NHTSA)​​ (Traffic Safety Marketing)​.

Misconceptions About Vehicle Safety

Vehicle Type

There is a misconception that larger vehicles, like pickup trucks, offer better protection in crashes, leading some to believe that seat belts are less necessary. However, 61% of pickup truck occupants killed in 2022 were not buckled, compared to 47% of passenger car occupants. Regardless of vehicle type, seat belt use is essential for safety​ (Traffic Safety Marketing)​.

Seating Position

Many people wrongly believe they are safe in the back seat without a seat belt. In 2022, 48% of front-seat passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were unrestrained, compared to 59% of those killed in back seats​ (Traffic Safety Marketing)​.

Rural vs. Urban Areas

Some individuals living in rural areas may think their risk of being involved in a crash is lower. However, in 2022, there were 12,486 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in rural locations and 12,865 in urban locations. Of these fatalities, 51% in rural areas and 48% in urban areas involved unrestrained occupants​ (Traffic Safety Marketing)​.

The Life-Saving Importance of Wearing Seat Belts

The statistics clearly show the life-saving importance of wearing seat belts. On average, every 47 minutes, someone dies in a car crash because they were not wearing a seat belt. By understanding and addressing misconceptions about seat belt use and promoting consistent seat belt wearing, we can reduce the number of preventable fatalities on our roads. Remember, seat belts are not just a legal requirement—they are a critical safety measure. Buckle up every time you get in the car, no matter where you sit or what kind of vehicle you drive​ (Traffic Safety Marketing)​​ (NHTSA)​.