Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Seat Belt Usage by Drivers and Front Seat Passengers (Observed)
Summary Indicator Report Data View Options
Why Is This Important?
For adults and older children (who are big enough for seat belts to fit properly), seat belt use is one of the most effective ways to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes.1
Definition
Percentage of drivers and front seat passengers observed wearing seat belts
Data Source
National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation(https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/#!/PublicationList/68)
How the Measure is Calculated
| Numerator: | Number of drivers and front seat passengers observed wearing seat belts |
| Denominator: | Number of drivers and front seat passengers observed |
How Are We Doing?
Observed seat belt use by adult front-seat passengers fluctuated between 87.6% and 94.5% over the course of the decade and the Healthy NJ 2020 target of 100% was not achieved.
How Do We Compare With the U.S.?
New Jersey's seat belt usage rate was consistently above that of the nation as a whole until 2019.
What Is Being Done?
New Jersey's seat belt laws, recommendations, initiatives, and information: https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-highway-traffic-safety-home/division-of-highway-traffic-safety-seat-belts/
More Resources
NJ's Highway Safety Laws: https://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/states/new%20jersey
Health Program Information
NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety
New Jersey 2020 Strategic Highway Safety Plan
Footnote References
1. CDC, Facts About Seat Belt Use, 4/24/24