New research reveals that unbelted occupants account for a significant number of traffic deaths, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS).

Fatal Crash Data Analysis (FARS) from 2017 through 2022 found that more than a quarter of U.S. drivers and passengers (28%) involved in a fatal crash in the last 30 days were unbuckled, pointing to a critical gap in seat belt use.

Seat belt use varies among motorists.

The general trend is that older motorists and children tend to use seat belts more often than young adult motorists.

Data showed that 70% of drivers and 57% of passengers reported always wearing a seat belt, while 3% of drivers and 6% of passengers reported they rarely used one.

Seat belt use drops significantly among certain groups – such as males, younger adults, rear-seat passengers, pick up truck occupants, nighttime or rural road travelers, and those engaging in impaired or risky behaviors, the AAAFTS found.

Among respondents who wore a seat belt more than 90% cited “wanting to avoid serious injury or death,” “It’s the law,” and “It’s a habit,” as their main reasons for buckling up.

Nearly 50% who did not wear a seat belt cited “I’m only driving a short distance,” “I forgot to put it on,” and “It’s a habit,” as their reasons for not using a seat belt.

To assist traffic safety practitioners in implementing targeted interventions, the study outlines actionable strategies across four key areas:

Education: Training and instructional guidance delivered in formal, informal, or workplace settings.
Encouragement: Persuasive messaging and communication campaigns tailored to specific road user profiles.
Enforcement: High-visibility enforcement efforts paired with clear public messaging.
Equity: Inclusive outreach designed to reach high-risk and traditionally underserved populations effectively