Michigan State Police say Michigan’s seat belt use rate fell slightly in 2023, down about 0.5% from 2022 and 2% from 2019. The seat belt use rate in the state this year was 92.4%, the lowest it’s been since 2004.
Michigan State Police First Lieutenant DuWayne Robinson out of the Paw Paw post tells us there really isn’t any reason not to buckle up.
“Over my 25 year career, I’ve policed hundreds of crashes,” Robinson said. “I’ve been to crashes where seat belts were not used, and as a result, drivers and passengers lost their lives. That’s versus ones where drivers and passengers were buckled up, those individuals survived those crashes. It’s a really easy thing to do to buckle up when you get in your vehicle, and why people are not taking that very simple step of clicking is beyond my imagination.”
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning says every 1% increase in seat belt use means an estimated 10 fewer traffic deaths and 100 fewer serious injuries.
In 2023, Berrien County’s seat belt use rate was 88.9%. Van Buren County was higher at 90.1%, while Cass County was at 92.6%.
Robinson notes not wearing a seat belt is a primary offense, meaning you can be pulled over just for that. The ticket is $65.
You can see the statewide rates for seat belt use right here.
