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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.^[https://www.cdc.gov/seat-belts/facts/ 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

[https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-highway-traffic-safety-home/ NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety] [https://www.saferoadsforallnj.com/ New Jersey 2020 Strategic Highway Safety Plan]

Footnote References

1. CDC, [https://www.cdc.gov/seat-belts/facts/ Facts About Seat Belt Use], 4/24/24