For the second year in a row, Michigan’s seat belt use rate fell slightly, according to the results from a grant-funded direct observation study conducted by Michigan State University.

The 2024 study, which was conducted in May and June, determined a seat belt use rate of 92.0 percent for Michigan. This is a 0.4 percentage point decrease from the reported rate of 92.4 in 2023 and the lowest seat belt use rate for the state since 2004, when it was 90.5 percent.

“Every unbuckled seat belt represents a life at risk,” said Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). “It’s disheartening to see the seat belt use rate in Michigan continue to decline. We must remind everyone that safety is a shared responsibility. Every time we buckle up, we protect not just ourselves but everyone on the road.”

In Michigan, seat belt use observation studies over the last ten years (2014-2023) indicate the overall annual use rate among front-seat occupants ranged from 92.4 to 94.5 percent. The state’s highest seat belt use rate was 97.9 percent in 2009.

Michigan’s 2024 direct observation survey produced some good news regarding driver use of handheld electronic devices. Bower said the positive impact of Michigan’s Hands-Free Law, which took effect on June 30, 2023, can be seen in the survey’s results: The rate of handheld-device use by drivers fell from 6.7 percent in 2023 to 5.5 percent in 2024.

“A rate decrease of 1.2 percentage points translates to many lives being saved as drivers and passengers understand the importance of keeping their hands on the wheel at all times,” Bower said. “While there is still much work to do to decrease distracted-driving crashes, we are thrilled the Hands-Free Law has positively influenced driver behavior and has helped save lives on our roads.”

Every percentage point increase in seat belt use means an estimated 10 fewer traffic deaths and 100 fewer serious injuries. In 2023, there were 1,095 fatalities on Michigan roadways.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the nationwide seat belt use rate was 91.9 percent in 2023, up from 91.6 in 2022. The NHTSA requires states to conduct annual seat belt observation surveys to determine seat belt usage.